Mental Health
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service
Elliman Resource Centre,27 Pursers Court, Off Elliman Avenue,Slough, Slough SL2 5DL
Overview
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service (STARS) is a substance misuse support organisation based in Slough that provides vital treatment and recovery services to individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Located at the Elliman Resource Centre in the town centre, the service is designed to help people address their substance use issues and work towards sustained recovery.
The organisation offers a range of evidence-based treatments and support pathways, including assessment, counselling, harm reduction services, and structured treatment programmes. STARS works with both adults experiencing problematic substance use and those seeking support to maintain their recovery. The service is typically available to residents of Slough and surrounding areas in Berkshire, and operates within the NHS and local authority commissioning framework for addiction services.
As part of the local health infrastructure, STARS aims to reduce the impact of substance misuse on individuals, families, and communities. The service is accessible during standard working hours, and individuals can typically access support through referral from their GP, self-referral, or via other local health providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can access mental health services at Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service in Slough through a GP referral, self-referral (available for NHS Talking Therapies and some community services), or through NHS 111 if you need urgent support. Contact 01753 692548 to find out about referral pathways and current waiting times. In a crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or call the Samaritans on 116 123.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 support, contact your local Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team, call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), text SHOUT to 85258, or attend A&E if you feel unsafe. If you are already known to Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service, you may have a crisis plan with direct contact numbers.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service offers a range of evidence-based therapies which may include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling, psychotherapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), group therapy, art and creative therapies, and family therapy. The specific therapies available depend on the service. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs.
Yes, all treatment at Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service is strictly confidential under NHS policy and data protection law. Information is only shared with healthcare professionals directly involved in your care. Confidentiality may only be broken in exceptional circumstances where there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, a court order, or a safeguarding obligation.
If you have complex mental health needs, Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service may use the Care Programme Approach (CPA). Under CPA you will have a named care coordinator, a comprehensive care plan developed with you, regular reviews of your care and progress, and a structured plan for when you are ready to be discharged from the service. CPA ensures coordinated, person-centred care across different services.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service recognises the impact of mental illness on families and carers. Support may include family meetings with the clinical team, carer support groups, information sessions about conditions and treatments, signposting to organisations like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Carers UK, and involvement in care planning with the patient's consent.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service may provide or link to services for people with dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems). Support can include assessment, counselling, harm reduction advice, detox support, and referral to specialist addiction services. Contact 01753 692548 for information about substance misuse support.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service may offer or link to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for young people up to 18. Services include assessment and therapy for anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, ADHD, autism, and behavioural difficulties. Referrals can come from GPs, schools, or in some areas through self-referral. Some areas also have early intervention teams for young people experiencing psychosis.
Waiting times vary depending on the service and urgency. NHS Talking Therapies aims to start treatment within 6 weeks of referral. Community Mental Health Team assessments may take 4-12 weeks. Urgent referrals are prioritised. Contact 01753 692548 for current waiting times. While waiting, you can access self-help resources, crisis lines, and wellbeing apps recommended by the NHS.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service provides support for a wide range of mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychosis and schizophrenia, perinatal mental health, and complex emotional difficulties.
Your first appointment is usually an assessment lasting 45-60 minutes. A mental health professional will ask about your current difficulties, their impact on your life, your mental health history, physical health, medication, and what you hope to achieve. This is a collaborative conversation — you will not be pressured to share anything you are not comfortable with. After the assessment, you will discuss the most suitable treatment options.
Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service may provide or link to specialist perinatal mental health services for women experiencing mental health difficulties during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Conditions include antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, PTSD from birth trauma, and postpartum psychosis. Early treatment is vital for both mother and baby. Ask your GP or midwife about perinatal mental health referrals.
Yes, Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service may offer remote therapy options including telephone sessions, video consultations, and guided online self-help programmes. Remote therapy is clinically effective for many conditions and offers greater flexibility. It is particularly helpful for those with mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or who prefer the comfort of their own home. Ask about remote options when you are referred.
Some services at Slough Treatment Advice and Recovery Service accept self-referrals without needing to see your GP first. NHS Talking Therapies (for anxiety and depression) can be accessed by self-referral in most areas. Other services such as Community Mental Health Teams and specialist services usually require a GP or professional referral. Contact 01753 692548 to check which services you can self-refer to.