Crisis and Home Treatment

What is a mental health crisis?

The term crisis can mean different things to different people and can be subjective to those involved in a crisis episode. 

In Mental health, the term crisis would often be associated to an individual experiencing an episode of significantly increased risk associated with a person’s current state of mind that could lead to risk to self and/or others where someone may lack control of their own thoughts or actions. 

If you feel extremely distressed and worried that you might not be able to keep yourself safe, there is urgent support available, call the Single Point of Access on 0800 953 0222. 

If you’re in immediate danger and it’s a medical emergency requiring physical attention,  call 999 straight away. 

What is emotional distress or an episode of overwhelm? 

It is not uncommon for children and young people with anxiety, trauma or neurodevelopmental needs to experience intense overwhelming feelings that can feel scary for them and the people around them. This can heighten anxiety, distress and result in the person being unable to manage their emotions at that time. 

If you are a parent/carer or professional present when this is happening it is important to try and remain calm to avoid escalating the situation. The young person may be feeling unsafe and needs to feel they are in a safe place with safe people. These situations can feel frightening and distressing but can often be managed well with the right knowledge and guidance. 

If you feel that the child or young persons’ distress or situation is posing a significant risk to themselves or others then you should follow advice for Mental Health Crisis. 

If you are a young person experiencing these feelings, ask for help from someone you trust, an adult or you can find support within the 'What can I/my family do to keep me safe?' tab below. 

Urgent mental health support 

If you currently receive support from any of our hub teams then please contact your local service Monday – Friday 9- 5pm - links to the locality hubs can be found here. 

If you are not already known to a mental health service and are experiencing a Mental Health Crisis, call the SPA on 0800 953 0222.

A&E

Our crisis team also conduct assessments of young people at A&E who have required urgent medical attention after a medical emergency. A&E can be a very distressing and potentially traumatic environment for young people, and we encourage schools, families, GP’s, and other services to contact the crisis team for support in the first instance to provide the correct advice on appropriate next steps. Where possible we will attempt to conduct our support and assessments in designated community locations  to  ensure the least distressing option for young people.

Attendance at A&E is only advised if there is an imminent risk of threat to life or if physical medical intervention is required. If you feel unsure, please do contact our service in the first instance for guidance as we are happy to support and guide you.  

When should I request crisis support?

If you feel extremely distressed and worried that you might not be able to keep yourself safe, there is urgent support available, call The Single Point of Access on  0800 953 0222 If you’re in immediate danger and it’s a medical emergency, call 999 straight away. 

Call NELFT Mental Health Direct:  0800 995 1000 (Out of Hours / Weekend or Bank Holidays).

In an emergency if urgent help is required please contact 999. 

What can I/my family do to help keep me safe?

National helplines 

If you’d like to talk to someone in confidence about how you’re feeling, various charities provide free advice and support, including: 

  • Childline: Call 0800 1111 (available 7:30am – 3:30am, seven days a week) 

  • Hopeline UK (Papyrus): Call 0800 068 41 41, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org (available 9am to midnight, seven days a week) 

  • Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (available 24/7) 

  • Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 (available 24/7) 

  • The Mix: Call 0808 808 4994 (available 3pm to midnight, seven days a week) or text THEMIX to 85258 (available 24/7) 

  • YoungMinds: Text YM to 85258 (available 24/7) 

What is the Crisis & Therapeutic Home Treatment Team (THT)?

The crisis team can provide emergency assessments in the community within 4 hours if the referral is accepted as being appropriate for this response. Where possible we will try to support these assessments to take place in a suitable environment such as one of the local team clinics, community settings, and this can include the home if the young person is known to the service, and it is safe to do so.

Where additional support is required to keep a young person safe in the community the SET CAMHS locality team with consult with us to offer some additional support, this is alongside the community-based work which is expected to continue for the duration of this support. It may be that this support is identified as being suitable following the community crisis assessment and will be discussed with the young person, family and community team.

The need and level of support required is identified in consultation with the community team and will be reviewed on a weekly basis. This is a time limited offer of support to support the stabilisation of the crisis and to ensure positive and safe outcomes for young people. 

Feedback

“I feel very lucky us having you in our corner advocating for our child, this has been a really scary time for them and knowing  they were happy for you to visit and help them was reassuring. You have shown kindness and compassion and for that we are grateful. “ 

“I wish to express my appreciation to your team for the help you gave me in my family’s time of need. Our child’s  mental health deteriorated.  Right from the moment of the assessment in hospital until  we were discharged from your service, with the good work of your staff, our child had improved so much that they dared dream and be hopeful again.” 

“The support has been incredible from the home treatment team, the different psychological approaches has been really useful, and the consistency of the practitioner has been a delight”. 

“They reported that they were so impressed with the assessment the crisis team delivered, crisis team spent a great deal of time with the family ensuring they felt heard”. 

“Crisis team had been incredible and had been so patient with our child, and we felt that we had been really heard in the assessment.” 

“The family expressed they felt your service was exemplary. I would also like  share that your partnership working with other services has been helpful, you have grasped the key issues quickly and helped to provide useful recommendations which will hopefully allow the family to move forward and progress.”