To Think Calling 111 About Mental Health is Useless?

[flowersplease]

I have a loved one who is currently going through a mental health crisis, suicidal thoughts, erratic thoughts and behaviour, racing thoughts and generally not coping. It’s reached a point this evening where we have had to call 111 because they are scared they are going to kill themself if they don’t get help. There is a huge family history of bipolar and other serious disorders but currently stuck in the cycle of being given different antidepressants, them not working and my loved one giving up on getting help because nobody is actually looking to diagnose the real problem. Our rural GP is truly god awful, but anyway.

They couldn’t manage to talk on the phone due to crying and shaking so I had to take over after the initial few questions and they couldn’t have been any less helpful. The very kind lady on the line asked if they are suicidal, which they are, and then asked about the plan and imminent intent which there isn’t any because they still want to get help. She proceeded to tell me to get a GP appointment in the morning and keep them distracted until then and said her goodbyes. I was too upset and shocked to even argue.

I am not a mental health professional, I don’t know what to do. I am worried about what will happen if I can even get a GP appointment for the near future and they inevitably fob my loved one off with more antidepressants once again. I think any hope they had of feeling better was taken away by the 111 lady because now they aren’t even speaking or responding.

Sorry for the rant I am just in this on my own, feeling very useless and unsupported and I don’t know how to make it better for them. Everything I researched said 111 would be able to get us in contact with someone, a crisis team or something to get the process moving. If anyone has any advice or suggestions or just a handhold I would really appreciate it 🖤.

Are they open to a community mental health team OP? Do they have a community psychiatric nurse? Would they be able to attend A&E with support this evening? I say attend A&E with some hesitation as it isn’t always the right environment for someone going through an acute mental health crisis - you could be waiting a long time to be seen. I am unsure what area you are in but you should be able to find the contact details of your local crisis team.

Are they able to identify any grounding techniques that can help them in this moment? If they don’t want to attend A&E/call crisis and would rather wait to make a GP appointment tomorrow - can someone stay with them so they are not alone? Presence counts for a lot in this type of situation - it creates safety and distraction.

If it's at that stage they should go to A+E.
That's what is usually recommended.

Sorry, OP
That's all there is

I can tell you this after years of battling my own mental health - a neighbour stopped me from the act one time.

It's A&E otherwise. Does this person have any medication?

Call Samaritans 116 123

I’m sorry you are going through this I’ve been in the same situation. In our area it goes through to the local mental health service and it’s a bit of a lottery as to who you get on the end of the phone.
have you thought about calling the Samaritans?
A&E is an option but in my experience can make matters worse.
can you try some grounding techniques such as cold ice cubes, breathing, a warm bath intense exercise. I know it’s not easy someone is in crisis.
if things escalate you can call 999.
its a horrible situation to be in you are not alone in this

May depend on area but 111 won't be able to refer you to a crisis service they are signposting only.

If it's urgent then a&e is usually your only option unless your area has a 'safe haven'

Are you calling NHS 111 option 2 (for mental health) or the general option 1 (for everything else)? If there is a crisis line for your local area then 111 (option 2 ) should connect you to it, but realistically it will only direct you to a&e or alternatives like safe haven if there is one.

In a&e you will be seen by psych liaison rather than a&e doctors. It's often much shorter wait than normal a&e queues. They should be 24/7 but going during daytime hours is generally better. The busiest times is always evenings.

Thank you for replying, it means a lot.

I think they’re open to anything at this point as long as it isn’t weeks of waiting. They were supposed to have an appointment with the psych nurse attached to the local GP some time ago however the GP never got around to arranging it and eventually they gave up and stopped taking their medication again.

I would take them to A&E myself but they are very anxious around people at the best of times and I don’t know how they’d cope. I have suggested it but they would probably see all the people and turn around and leave. They want to be sectioned essentially but because they know they need help they can’t be? I really don’t know what I’m doing here, I’m very out of my depth.

Can I find the details of a crisis team and call without any referral?

I’ll have a look at grounding techniques but I’m not sure how willing they will be.
I won’t be leaving them, even for a second, until this gets sorted. They are pretty convinced it either needs to get better or they won’t be here anymore.

Thank you again, just reading your reply made me feel less alone in this.

Also check what services your area has in my town there is a drop in place every evening which is staffed with mental health nurses and peer support

I will suggest this again, thank you.

In general what you've done so far plus going to A&E is what is suggested - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

However, different areas may have better options. Eg. in Kent https://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/mental-health/get-mental-health-help-now#:~:text=Call%200800%20107%200160%20and,Release%20the%20Pressure%20helpline%20team.

Just type in your area and mental health crisis to see if there are other options for your area.

Thank you ❤️.

I have had mental health struggles but nothing quite like this, I’m so very glad your neighbour was there for you. 💐

Not anymore, they have tried maybe five different antidepressants and a couple of anti anxiety meds in the past but none work and they eventually stop taking them. I’m pretty convinced it’s untreated bipolar which would make sense as it needs to be medicated differently.

Going to talk about going to A&E.

They recommended to go to a&e with my dd, a&e was brilliant with her. Only larger hospitals have a dedicated mental health a&e though.

You’re very welcome - you could also look here for info on crisis support - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services-and-planning/mental-health-crisis-teams/

The bar for a section is high and it has to be signed off by multiple professionals as you are depriving someone of their liberty (for their own welfare and that of others) - but you can be admitted voluntarily onto a psychiatric ward.

Keep us posted OP if you can and it helps - you’ve got this.

@flowersplease

they are open to anything

I think that poster means are they KNOWN to your local mental health trust and do they have a named worker or similar?

If not A and E unless your local mental health trust has a dedicated crisis line

I’m sorry you’re going through this, it’s shit

I’m sorry OP. My daughter lost her battle with mental health. I was able to get copies of her medical records after she died and it’s an extensive record of incompetence. Take your person to A&E.

So sorry for you loss, @BeKookyExpert .

MH care in this country is an absolute disgrace.