When do you ring crisis team/out of hours?

[Worried22]

My local cmht has recently changed and you have to no longer be referred to the crisis team to be able to phone them out of hours.

I think this is a better system in some ways, but it's hard to know when it's appropriate to call. I've rang before when I've felt suicidal and close to doing something.

But times like tonight, when it's all too much, I'm crying, anxious and got suicidal thoughts but no intention of doing anything tonight, I'm guessing the Samaritans is a better option? I wouldn't want to be in the way of a proper crisis.

I just wondered what other peoples experiences of calling them are? When do you call?

Personally, I ring them when I'm in crisis, which I define as situations where my safety is under threat. It can be really hard to know where that tipping point is.

Do you tend toward impulsive actions, where there might be a danger of you acting? Do you have any support at home?

It is hard to know when I'm at breaking point or not. I'm really anxious atm, not as suicidal as I have been, but I do have impulsive tendencies which is scary. As I think I'm doing ok, then it all comes crashing down, I lose all rational thoughts and see no way out.

I wouldn't take advantage and call them unnessarily, but it's so much better than spending a night in a&e just to get a referral to them.

Why not ask your care co-ordinator for advice on when to ring? Until they advise you ring whenever it helps you. It is quite unusual for an area to give everyone open access to phoning crisis I team so I imagine they will triage people more on the phone? Not necessarily take everyone on, and do daily visits or phone calls but they will if they think it is necessary.

If you are in crisis then phone them. Sorry to hear a bad night. How are things today?

I think it's just people under the cmht who can call, and I think they triage first.

Had some more stress to deal with today. I can't take it anymore. I feel so, so sad.

I've also been thinking, if I had a physical illness and people could see how much pain I'm in, they would understand my want to die. But because it's in my head, I should fight it. But it's been so long, and I can't live like this. I sometimes think I have a right, a good reason, to end this pain and torture.

If your still under CMHT , then ring them. There's no right and wrong time!
If things are going through your head and disturbing your thoughts ring them

I know I'm not going to do anything tonight, but I'm getting desperate urges to. I hate not knowing who I'm going to speak to, I should wait to speak to my cpn but sometimes morning seems an eternity away.

If you are allowed to phone them and you are under increasing stress do phone them. Sometimes just being able to talk to a professional can help. Sometimes having it when you need it can help. As you say they will triage calls and only visit people they seem necessary but does not mean you cannot call them - as that is their system.

The crisis team work 24/7 so you can call them anytime tonight or in the early hours.

I hope you may be feeling better. Did you get help from the crisis/ out of hours care?