This is the reality of trying to get in touch with mental health services

[RealityOfIt]

This is a CRISIS line. Home treatment team.
I can't handle this

I know it may be a long shot but do you have anyone that can advocate for you?

A family member had a MH crisis last year and the only way we could get help was for me to advocate for them and essentially be a PITA/relentless.

The system is overloaded and underfunded. I'm so sorry OP.

Yup. As a GP it drives me bonkers too. Unsafe. So sorry - if you're really in danger then A&E isn't unreasonable

Have you left a message? The helpline will get back to you as soon as they're able, if so. Sorry you're struggling x

Do you have a CPN/care-coordinator. If yes, ring the office and they’ll get them to ring back.

I'm advocating for my son.

But I have serious MH issues myself and I find it very difficult to make phone calls and talk to people but obviously I have to

You can't leave a message. It's engaged.

Depending on what support you need some charities have their own helpline numbers which may be easier to get through to x

It's the Home referral team, who have been trying to contact me but must have a wrong number.

All the ones with the big numbers are the place I'm trying to contact.

The other numbers are ones I've googled who might be able to help me contact the people I need but no one can.

It's says 'number busy' with a beep beep beep

The crisis team gave me the number and told me they had been trying to contact me so I should call them

Can you try 111 option 2 (I found this for you it’s Greater Manchester area)
if you can’t reach the correct team they can advise and/or check it’s the right number. Or if things are worse they should help

I think a big part of the problem (still) is the inconsistency between areas. I work in a Midlands Trust and we moved over to 111 option 2 that patients can call. But people who have the ‘old’ Crisis number still call that. In our area Home Treatment definitely take incoming calls if the patient is on their caseload but a pp explains that their service doesn’t.
streamlining and consistency in the NHS imo would be better, safer and fairer to all.

@summerdress81 it sounds like in your area Crisis and Home Treatment are separate teams. It’s different everywhere…I’ve worked in 2 local trusts. One didn’t even take self/referral people had to first navigate the (again very variable) GP service. In my area Crisis and HT are basically the save. It’s confusing for everyone even those who work within it at times…