What is the point of calling an ambulance for a mental health problem?

[Olimar]

Because I don't see any point. They can not do anything to help. Yet people keep phoning them. If anything it makes the situation worse.

I think it depends on what the mental health problem is and how it's presenting itself. Are you OK?

I think the ambulance service are more appropriate it's the police that have less powers in mental health situations sometimes.
People often phone for an ambulance for mental health related issues.

If they can get them into the ambulance willingly they can be assessed in A&E. If the person won't go willingly but they think they need to then they call the police for assistance where the person is taken into A&E and again can be assessed. Like with a physical call if they arrive and don't deem being taken in necessary then they won't. Of course the ideal would be a mental health type ambulance service for those who require immediate help, have exhausted other means of getting help or whatever else. But as because funding is so shit and there's a shortage of MH staff and beds here we are.

It isn't a waste of time if you or someone you know needs immediate intervention though.

Some ambulances services have a mental health crisis team who will see the person instead of a regular ambulance crew.

It also depends on the persons crisis. Ideally, they should be in touch with their own crisis team/case worker, but if unavailable or they need immediate support and are willing to be driven to A&E then good. If they have massive self-harm wounds, overdose etc, then a regular ambulance is the best option.

It’s not a waste of time if the person needs urgent mental health care, or they’re potentially a danger to themselves or others because they’re unwell.

I’ve had to call an ambulance in a mental health crisis situation before.

So it depends what the situation is OP, are you ok? Do you need some support?

I have recently been wondering what is the point of calling an ambulance at all. A neighbour fell whilst out shopping and it took the ambulance 8 hours to arrive. Eight hours. Now, I accept that in these circumstances there was little else that could be done but wait, laying on the cold floor of the garden centre, until it could be ascertained that she wouldn't be harmed further if moved. But honestly, if I or an member of my family was able to hobble / be carried into the car or a taxi, I'd just get on the road and get to the hospital. The disadvantage of this is that we'd have to be triaged when we got there, which could take a few hours, I accept. But at least we'd be in the right place, not waiting anxiously for 8 hours. The NHS is at breaking point and I feel for everyone employed by them.

I'm not ok, but there is nothing an ambulance or a and e can do to change that. I've been asking for a med review for 2 weeks because things have got worse, but that hasn't happened. So I've stopped taking the olanzapine anyway now. All they can say is we will send an ambulance, for the second time this week.

Are you safe op, have you got a crisis team you can call, if they are worried about you then an ambulance and seeing a doctor might be the best thing for you.

Ambulance will take you to A & E where you will be triaged and see a duty psychiatrist. It will likely take a very long time. Alternatively you can walk in to A & E or, if you prefer, go to your GP on Monday depending on how Ill you are. Are you having a crisis? If so A & E is the answer for acute MH issues in the same way it is there for physical emergencies. If you aren't acute then wait to see someone on Monday.

If you are in crisis then you shoud definitely call an ambulance

I really hope things start improving, OP. Please keep us updated.

Please realise that some people give themselves life threatening injuries that need immediate attention. Some will be in a element of psychosis and not be aware of how I'll they are so it's not as easy as taking someone to a&e. Mental illnesses are way more complex than not feeling ok. I'm not dismissing anyone's feelings but you are judging mental health only through you own experience. The mental health services are letting many levels of mental health/illnesses down right now. Most mental health meds are less effective without a full range of support. Low level therapy is not enough to go around post covid, cmht care is non existent in my area even pre covid and housing situation is so bad people are getting discharged from psych wards with no base or any follow up.

If someone needs to get to hospital urgently sometimes it's not safe to get there by other means. There is a risk that someone may try to jump out of a moving car, or attack the driver. It's often the safest option with police assistance if necessary.

However how ever someone arrives at hospital they are triaged by need. At the moment unless someone is unsafe , a danger to themselves or other they will probably be assessed and sent home under the care of crisis team, or gp.

@Olimar

I'm not ok, but there is nothing an ambulance or a and e can do to change that. I've been asking for a med review for 2 weeks because things have got worse, but that hasn't happened. So I've stopped taking the olanzapine anyway now. All they can say is we will send an ambulance, for the second time this week.

Do you have a support worker? Your local crisis team might be more suited in this case, if you Google your area a number should come up.

Completely depends on the situation. My Mum went off in an ambulance when she was trying to attack my Dad in a psychotic episode (she had schizophrenia). They sedated her and sectioned her for a month. She needed it, she wasn’t in touch with reality. But it’s more difficult for someone suffering with depression or anxiety. I’m sorry you’re struggling.

So the ambulance came and as I knew, couldn't do anything. Left me with apiece of paper with phone numbers to call. Same phone numbers I called who keep ringing and ambulance on me. Round and round in circles I go, nothing ever getting better, stress if it all making me worse.

People do it, if that is what the CMHT have told them to do - in a crisis out of hours, go to A & E. If they can't get there for whatever reason, call an ambulance. If people don't do what the CMHT says, they get accused of "not engaging with services" and dropped from waiting lists for treatment.

The CMHT take the attitude its a place of safety, and even sitting there for 4 hours or more, gives the patient time to reflect and calm down. They believe suicidal feelings pass, especially if distracted.

I think also, if a patient goes say 4 x to A & E, because they feel suicidal, its taken more seriously than someone just saying they felt suicidal - which could just be made up!

Totally get where you are coming from I've been off work now 7 years feel like I've been written off by the cmht. Gained a extra mental illness just dealing with the stress of not been treated and waiting years at a time for benefits to be sorted. Poverty is just so dark. But a lot of people I know who get past a&e to a psych ward are only kept their for days to cool off. Not jumping ques for therapy either and the emergency people might not say it but will be aware of the situation and unless you are totally unaware of yourself or danger to a someone else they will not want to admit you. Not even being a danger to yourself is enough to get more help. When I was going through a phase where I took my mental illness out on myself I was told by crisis team would be classed as to unstable for therapy and to behave. It's hardly understanding it just a threat to create a reaction. This is not a great system and a lot of my friends being treated for mental illness though their gp have gained therapy before myself I've been left on the shelf to rot away and get the impression I'm just not doing something right.

I'm not doing something right too. My whole life it feels like I've been trying to find an explanation. But instead I just have some pills to take, don't even know what they are supposed to be for.

And again last night/this morning. That's 3 times in the last few weeks.

Why don't people understand this does not help. They can't do anything.

If you want to help do something actually helpful. Not ambulances.

Sorry this is happening to you, OP.
Ambulances are great or getting you to hospital ASAP, or for supporting a medical need during transport.
What do you think would help you? If it is a tweaking of meds, then your GP would be the first person to ask.