What to expect at crisis team appointment?

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

I saw my doctor yestterday, on going mental health issues, but I've been having very strong suicidal thoughts recently. She called and referred me to the crisis team for more 'specialist help' as she put it.
They called me yesterday afternoon and did a telephone assessment, and they have booked me in to be seen on Sunday. Ie- tomorrow.

I have no idea what to expect, and it's making my anxiety awful. Can anyone offer any experiences please?

[Sherlockmaystealyourpug]

Hi, I am a student mental health nurse and have just been working with my local crisis team.
It varies very slightly from area to area but you'll meet with a mental health nurse and they will do a needs assessment. It will be anywhere between an hour and two hours. You will be asked what is going on for you at present, how you are feeling and coping and be asked to give some back ground, ususally this is with one nurse - occasionally two.
They will ask lots of questions,and ask you what you feel you need. Some questions will be about the present, and they'll also ask you about your childhood and housing circs etc. If you have DC they will ask for dates of birth, names and schools...this worries people sometimes but it is never information that is used against you, it is just necessary information. Some people worry that if this information is gathered It will mean SS will be contacted and this is rarely the case - however if this was for any reason to happen it would be discussed with you and you'd be asked to consent to this so It is never done without your knowledge (I am not saying this to worry you but I know it is a question that scares some people, as many people fear mh issues may trigger SS involement which is rare, and if It ever is It is to offer support)
It helps if you can be as honest as possible about how things are for you, but it is understood that it isn't easy for people to sit in a room and open up to a stranger and the nurse's are very skilled, very kind and will go at your pace. You don't have to talk about anything you don't want to.

The aim is to identify your current needs and risks and what support you need in this current crisis.
People often fear that it will mean they will be placed in hospital, and whilst a bed is something that the crisis team can arrange it is rare that this is what is needed immediately and there are lots of other options.

The crisis team are like a door, and they can access further support and help for you. This could be a referral to counselling, therapy or to see a psychiatrist (and in such cases if you feel you need more support whilst waiting they often offer further appointments with the crisis team and or phone calls). They can also organise medication, or for you to be seen daily by the home treatment team.
There is often a lot of support that people don't know how to access and can't access, and this can be organised.
Any plan that is made (like a referral for cbt for example) will only be done if it is what you want and feel will help you.

I hope that makes sense, sorry if it is poorly written I have a migrane so am typing with one shut but didn't want you to go unanswered. If you habe any further questions please ask or pm me and ill keep an eye on this thread.

Honestly, the crisis team is the best nursing experience I have had so far as the nurses are so kind and really want to help and support the people they see.

I am glad you were able to speak to your GP and that you have this appointment
Good luck and try not to worry too much today.

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

Thank you so so much for your reply, that's been really helpful in calming my nerves.
I didn't realise the appointment was so long!

My husband will be coming with me, will he be with me the whole time or do you think they will want to speak to me alone? I understand that everything you tell me might not happen due to different trusts/ nurses etc, but it's lovely to have a general idea!

[Sherlockmaystealyourpug]

Most of the time they are 100% happy for you to have whomever you wish in with you to support you. I did know of one or two nurses who would rather see people alone for the first ten mins whilst they explain the appointment, just in case the person didn't really want there dp/friend whomever to hear all the answers to the questions, but then would invite the dp in once that had been established :)
I'm glad this post helped you.
I hope you are doing okay today and you will be in my thoughts tomorrow

[Sherlockmaystealyourpug]

Hope it went okay today BaBa, have been thinking of you

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

Sorry I haven't replied, I've found the whole thing really hard.
I spent an hour and a half answering loads of different questions really honestly, they sent me out for 15 mins and when I went back in they said they didn't think I was suffering from depression, just low mood, and that my anxiety can be managed by healthy minds (been waiting on them since February) they are discharging me, job done.
I have no idea where to go from here. I told them everything, about how sometimes all I can think about is killing myself, how Dh has to hide my car keys to stop me from doing it, how sometimes I just can't breathe for no reason, absolutely everything. And they made me feel like I was wasting their time.
The worst kick in the face was when they said I didn't have depression, because not every day is awful, sometimes I can function, but if the depression isn't making me suicidal 1-2 times a week then what on earth is?! Argh. Stupid NHS.
I've got a Drs appt on Friday so I'm going to ask for blood tests and that sort of thing to try and rule that out, any idea what sort of thing I should now be pushing for?

Thank you for messaging to see how it went, it made me smile to see that you had checked in but I didn't really feel up to replying until now.

[Sherlockmaystealyourpug]

Oh BaBoom I am sorry that it did not go well :( I wish I could make sure everyone could see the fantastic nurses I was training with!

Did they say they would chase the HM referall for you? Our paperwork would usually trigger them into acting a little faster, and we would often follow up with a phone call also.

In terms of where you can turn, blood tests are a good idea. But also, I know it sounds like it wasn't a good experience for you but don't be afraid to go back, if you could cope with that, and say that you really are struggling. In my area there are so really good community based groups and I know a lot of people either find the idea totally overwhelming due to anxiety or feel that it won't be for them, but I know a lot of people credit recovery to them (me included). One of the groups near me had anxiety self help/education groups, does yoga, has creative writing and art classes and groups that focus on depression etc. All those there totally understand how scary it is to go for the first time, and are very welcoming. It could be worth looking into?

In terms of talking help that isn't healthly minds unfortunately in most areas there isn't much, but if you would be happy to pm me and let me know which area you are in i could see if I can be of any further help.

Are you on any medication? If not, would you be open to this?

I am really sorry it did not go better for you, and I am shocked that they send you out of the room...the assesment is meant to be about you and with you and for you..you should not have been made to feel like someone being discussed by 'professionals', I don't think mh services should be working like that at all. :(

and and for you.

[BaBaBaBoomBoom]

I'm sorry it's taking me so long to reply, i can only really face it on really good days!

They have chased the HM referral and I've had a call from them recently to say they are changing their approach based on what crisis said and I've been put on the waiting list for 1:1 face to face cbt, but the waiting list is 2 months.

The groups were suggested at the crisis meeting, but I've got two preschool dc and can't afford for them to be in ad hoc childcare, and I can't rely on friends favours to that extent! They didn't really have a work around other than 'maybe when they are at school it could be something to consider'

I'm on 30mg of citalopram a day and 20mg propranolol 3x a day. I feel much more stable now than I did even a few weeks ago, so I'm hoping I'm onto a winner medication wise!

Thank you so much for checking in, it really means a lot