Getting Help—What To Do In a Crisis
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing a mental health related crisis then please take the following steps as appropriate:
If there is an immediate risk: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger of serious harm (for example, if you/they have taken an overdose) call 999 for an ambulance immediately. Give as much information as possible to the operator and be as clear as you can when giving your address and telephone number.
Telephone help if you are feeling desperate: There are some telephone numbers you can call if you are feeling desperate, but do not think it is appropriate to go to A+E or call your GP.
If there is no immediate risk of harm and you, or someone you know, is known to mental health services and has a CPA: If someone you know who is in regular contact with mental health services is in crisis but not in immediate danger, you should follow the guidance included in their CPA or crisis plan. This should set out who to contact (and how) as well as things they can do to help themselves. If these systems do not work (or are not in place) you should contact your care team directly and ask to speak to the duty worker if your keyworker / care co-ordinator is not available. If you cannot do this (for instance because its the middle of the night) and if the situation is serious you should try to attend a local accident and emergency department. Call an ambulance if necessary.
If there is no immediate risk of harm and you, or someone you know, is not engaged with mental health services: Where a mental health crisis occurs and the person is unknown to services, help should first be sought from a GP (family doctor) or in an emergency from accident and emergency. They will provide immediate advice and care and refer on to specialist mental health services if required.
If someone you know is unwell but unwilling to seek help: Where someone is mentally ill and either does not realise it or does not want to seek help for the problem, it is often difficult for services to assist. In the UK, people can normally only be treated for a mental illness without their consent if they are “sectioned.” (see Mental Health Legislation) This can be very traumatic for the individual concerned and it is almost always worthwhile trying to convince them to seek help voluntarily following the advice above.
If you know that the person has already been seen by the mental health services: contact the community mental health team on 01480 415340 or outside office hours, the emergency duty team on 01733 561370. For more information about the mental health services available in your area see Hospital and Community Mental Health Services.
East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Mental Health Team
Agenoria House
North Cambs Hospital
The Park
Wisbech
PE13 3AB
Tel: 01945 482159
Out of Hours Services (for those in a crisis)
Accident and Emergency Department
Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust
Hinchingbrooke Park
Huntingdon
PE29 6NT
Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams
Cambridge City Team and South Cambridge Rural Team
Elizabeth House
Fulbourn Hospital
CB21 5EF.
Tel 01223 218810
The Home Treatment teams are a service for people who need emergency mental health assessment. They can offer support for people in their own homes as an alternative to going into hospital. The teams work 7 days a week from
8.00am – 10.00pm. The Teams consist of: nurses, doctors, social workers, occupational therapists and support workers. Service users cannot refer themselves. Referrals need to be via a GP or mental health team worker. The South Cambridge Rural team covers people in the Royston, South Cambs and East Cambs area; the Cambridge City team covers people in Cambridge City itself.
The Emergency Duty Team
Park House
Shire Hall
Cambridge
CB3 0AP
Tel: 01733 234724
The team is made up of experienced social workers, who have a generic role, but they are also Approved Social Workers and if a person needs to be voluntarily admitted to hospital or ‘sectioned’ under the Mental Health Act 1983 outside normal working hours, the Emergency Duty Team will be called. In a mental health crisis they will only visit people’s homes if it seems likely that sectioning will be necessary, but they will give advice over the phone in other cases.
The Cambridgeshire Emergency Duty Team are contactable via an answering service on 01733 234724, outside normal office hours, from 5.00pm - 8.45am Mondays to Thursdays and from 4.25pm on Fridays, throughout the weekend and until 8.45am on Mondays, or Tuesday if Monday is a bank holiday.
The Emergency Department (formerly Accident and Emergency)
Addenbrookes Hospital
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2QC
Tel: 01223 217118
Acute General and Speciality Hospital Emergency Department is a 24 hour service to provide emergency assessment and treatment. All GP surgeries are covered by an out-of-hours service and consideration should be given to using the GP service for non-threatening illnesses.
CamDoc
Out-of-hours GP service
Telephone: 01223 464242
This service operates evenings and weekends when your local GP surgery is closed. If you feel you need to consult a doctor urgently you can ring the above number and a doctor will assess your situation.
Telephone Help When You Are Feeling Desperate
If you are feeling desperate or are in need of support, but do not feel it is appropriate to call your GP, there are numbers you can call.
Lifeline - The Cambridgeshire Mental Health Helpline
(A Lifecraft Service)
Tel: 0808 808 2121 (FREEPHONE)
7.00pm – 11.00pm, 365 days a year
(Answerphone at all other times).
E mail: lifeline@lifecraft.org.uk
Our trained volunteers are available to support people experiencing emotional distress to provide:
- Someone to talk to
- Emotional support
- Guidance through a crisis
- Liaison with other agencies
- Information on local and national resources, treatment, patients rights, self-help groups etc
- Someone who cares, someone who listens
Samaritans
Cambridge Samaritans
4 Emmanuel Road
Cambridge
CB1 1JW
Tel: 01223 364455 or 08457 909090 (both helplines)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Web: www.samaritans.org
The Samaritans have trained volunteers who will listen to people who are distressed, in despair or contemplating suicide, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. They will offer a sympathetic, non-judgmental listening ear. You can call round in person 10.30am - 10.30pm or you can phone the Samaritans on their 24-hour helpline above. Alternatively you cane mail them or write to: PO Box 9090, Stirling FK8 2SA.
SANELINE
Telephone: 0845 767 8000 (all calls charged at local rate)
Trained volunteers will provide emotional support and information on mental health issues from 1pm- 11pm every day of the year. This is run by the national organisation SANE.
Links
Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/MentalHealth/DG_10023332
What to do in a mental health emergency whether you are the service user or carer.
Mind
