Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s (EPUT) Crisis Response Service was able to support over 2,500 more calls during the last year – providing direct access to emergency mental health services and, in many cases, avoiding the need for a visit to A&E or hospital.
Mental health support is available 24/7 for people of all ages by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. The call will be answered by a trained team member who will be able to refer callers to a mental health professional.
Alex Green, Deputy CEO and Executive Chief Operations Officer at EPUT said: “It’s vital that people in mental health crisis receive the right help at the right time. Our crisis services are designed to provide fast, effective support and help people in the most appropriate place.
“As we mark World Mental Health Day, I want to thank all our teams working across the Trust’s services, caring for over 100,000 people at any time.”
The crisis team works alongside a number of other services so that rapid support can be provided – these include the Mental Health Response Vehicle, delivered in collaboration with East of England Ambulance Service, as well as the Trust’s Home Treatment teams who offer intensive support at home to prevent hospital admissions.
EPUT’s Mental Health Liaison team also provide crisis support – working in A&Es and inpatient wards to provide rapid mental health assessments and support early discharge, alongside the Admission Prevention and Early Discharge Service which bridges hospital and community care. These services are complemented by the Trust’s Mental Health Urgent Care Department in Basildon, a dedicated alternative to A&E for those in mental health crisis.
More information is available on the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s website.