Urgent help
Getting help in a mental health crisis
If you are already cared for by mental health services provided by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
- During working hours you should contact the team that coordinates your mental health care on a long term basis. You can locate your service using the service finder.
- If you need urgent mental health support outside of that team’s working hours then you should contact the local crisis team on 020 3317 6333. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are not under the care of mental health services
- First contact your GP and ask for an urgent appointment. This will allow you to discuss your experiences and situation with someone who can help you to identify what might be happening to you and organise further help for you if you need it.
- If you do not feel that you can wait to see your GP then please contact the C&I Crisis Single Point of Access on 020 3317 6333. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What is a mental health crisis?
The word “crisis” can be used to describe many different situations. In mental health, the term “crisis” usually suggests that someone may need urgent help to support them with mental health problems. It is important to distinguish crisis support from emergency support. In an emergency, someone’s life might be in danger and you should call 999.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or risk of harm phone 999
Emergency department
In an emergency you can always go to the emergency department at your local hospital. They will be able to assess your mental state and treat accordingly. In most emergency departments a psychiatric liaison nurse is available.
Other forms of help
General health enquiries
For general health enquiries dial 111 - this has replaced NHS Direct as the single number to call for urgent non-emergency advice.
Residents can, if they wish, still contact their GP or local pharmacist for care advice. The NHS 111 service does not replace the emergency 999 service.
Care Programme Approach (CPA)
If you are being supported under the care programme approach, then your CPA care plan should include details of what to do if you become unwell or if the care arrangements break down. It is important that you are aware of what is recorded in the care plan and have the information you need to be able to act if necessary. Carers - if the person you support does not consent to your involvement in the CPA, you should still be provided with crisis contact details if necessary.
Advanced Directives
An advance directive (also known as an advance statement, advance refusal or living will) is a way of making a person's views known if he or she should become mentally ill and incapable of giving consent to treatment. They can also state what treatment or support works for you when unwell and who should be contacted e.g. your carer. This kind of preparation can help you, your carer and the care co-ordinator, through what may be a difficult time.
Further details on Advance Directives can be found on NHS Choices
Carers Advanced Plans
It is becoming more usual for carers to have advanced plans regarding what support should be provided for the person they support if they are unable to continue to provide care - ie unexpectedly admitted to hospital.
These advanced plans can help the carer prepare for, and ensure that the person they support is not left to deal with any unexpected events on their own. Involving other family members, or your GP, can also be helpful. These can be written down with the support of the care co-ordinator. It is important to discuss these plans with the person you care for or support.
Carers UK provides information for carers on crisis planning.