Introducing The CAMHS Crisis and Home Treatment Team

What is a Crisis in Mental Health?

A mental health crisis happens when a person feels they can’t cope and they may act in a way that could hurt themselves or others. They might put themselves at risk of being unable to look after themselves. They may describe it as having a breakdown, a meltdown or that they just can’t carry on like this.

Who are the Crisis team?

The Crisis team is a group of healthcare professionals who specialise in mental health issues.  All the teams in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (also known as CAMHS) are multi-disciplinary.  This means that there are a wide range of specialist staff who all work with children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties.

They see patients who are under 18 who need urgent help for their mental health.  The Crisis team will support you through your mental health crisis at home so you don’t need to be admitted to hospital unless you have an injury that needs medical attention

Where are the Crisis team based?

The Crisis team are based at the Valetine Centre. If you are referred for assessment by the Crisis team, then we will arrange to see you.  We will agree with you about where the best place is for you to be seen.

What do they do?

The Crisis team will meet with you and your family to assess your current mental health and decide the best way to help. This is called an assessment. An assessment simply means that Mental Health Professional will talk to you and listen to you to gather information about your mental health.  If it feels right, then your family will be invited to join in this conversation. By the end of the assessment, which usually takes around 1 hour, there will be a plan to help keep you safe and how to get further help.

Who do I contact for support with my mental health?

If you need urgent mental health support, 24/7 support is available over the phone. Call NHS 111, selecting mental health crisis option 2. This number is open 24 hours a day and is totally free and confidential. You can also text 0748 063 5199. If there is an immediate threat to life, dial 999. If you are deaf and have urgent mental health needs, you can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language service: www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs111 Please note the NHS 111 line is not an emergency service. Click here for more information. 

You can also

• Speak to an adult friend or someone you can trust as soon as you can
• If you are already seen by CAMHS and it is in office hours (9-5), call your CAMHS worker
• Speak toyour school nurse or social worker
• Call your GP
• Call 111

You can watch our video to learn where you can access urgent mental health support.

Click here to check out our CAMHS created resources designed to support young people.