What happens if you present yourself at a&e as suicidal?

[ForgedInFire]

I've urged somebody close to me to do this and they have agreed but I'm worried they won't be taken seriously. I'm at a loss. I don't even know what to do any more

You can always phone the emergency services for them. Somebody did this for somebody close to me and an ambulance came and took her to hospital.

It is taken seriously.

in theory they should be seen by the Crisis Team, in reality this is pretty hit and miss.
They could try contacting the local mental health line:
www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

Thank you, they are at the hospital now. If they don't get a helpful response I will try the local services

It’s taken seriously but don’t have high expectations.

If they present to A&E they are subject to triage and will likely have a long wait. Many leave during this. When they get through we request a Psych consult. Timing for that is ‘how long is a piece of string’. They would be lucky to achieve a bed in a mental health unit so most are sent home with community follow up that is very hit and miss. If they do need a bed, chances are there will not be one nearby and they will be shunted off his knows how far away. If it’s really critical they will get placed into any old bed (they can’t stay in A&E) until a mental health bed opens and they should then be top of the list. In the meanwhile they don’t have access to mental health treatment, mental health nursing etc they just sit in a bed and ward staff have no idea what to do with them. The resourcing for mental health is absolutely woeful all round unfortunately.

Well I don't think he even went to a&e. Apparently he filled in a form and was told to call his GP in the morning

I’m afraid I can’t help, but am shocked how little support there seems to be.

I have family in the police force and do believe that they will send someone out if you are worried about a friend or loved one. I’m afraid that’s literally all I know though.

I hope your friend gets the support they need