Mental Health Crisis Team UK: Your 2026 Guide to Emergency Support
16 August 2026
Find out how mental health crisis teams work in the UK in 2026, when to call, what to expect, and alternative NHS support.
What Is a Mental Health Crisis Team?
In the UK, a mental health crisis team—often called the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team (CRHT)—is a specialist NHS service that supports people experiencing severe mental health difficulties. These teams are designed to offer an alternative to hospital admission, providing intensive support in your home or in a community setting. They typically include psychiatrists, mental health nurses, social workers, and support workers. Their goal is to stabilise your mental health safely, help you manage a crisis, and reduce the need for inpatient care. Crisis teams are usually available 24/7 and can be contacted directly or via other NHS services.
When Should You Contact a Crisis Team?
You should contact a crisis team if you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, or if your mental health has deteriorated to a point where you can no longer cope with daily life. Common reasons include suicidal thoughts, severe self-harm, psychosis, mania, or an overwhelming sense of despair. It's important not to wait until things escalate. If you already have a mental health care plan, it may include crisis contact details. In an emergency where you cannot keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For immediate but non-life-threatening crises, NHS 111 (selecting the mental health option) can connect you to local services, including the crisis team.
How to Access the Crisis Team Through the NHS
Accessing a crisis team in the UK varies slightly by region, but there are common routes. The easiest is to call NHS 111 and select the mental health option; trained advisers will assess your situation and transfer you to the local crisis team. You can also be referred by your GP during surgery hours, or by staff at a hospital A&E department if you attend in person. Some areas allow self-referral, meaning you can contact the crisis team directly. Your local NHS trust website will list the specific number. Keep it saved in your phone if you have ongoing mental health needs. Never hesitate to seek help—these services exist exactly for this purpose.
What Happens When You’re Referred?
Once the crisis team accepts your referral, they will usually arrange an assessment within a few hours, often at your home or a local health centre. A clinician will speak with you about your safety, current state, and what support might help. From there, the team may offer a range of interventions: daily home visits, medication adjustment, talking therapy, or help with practical issues like sleep and food. The aim is to keep you as safe and stable as possible in your own environment. Most people are under the team for a few weeks, with a clear discharge plan back to your regular mental health provider or GP.
Other Sources of Mental Health Crisis Help
If you don't meet the threshold for a crisis team or need support while waiting, other UK-wide services are available 24/7. The Samaritans offer confidential emotional support on 116 123. SHOUT provides a text service (text SHOUT to 85258) for anyone in crisis. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) has a helpline for men at risk of suicide. Additionally, your local NHS can provide out-of-hours GP services. If you're under 18, Childline or local youth crisis services are available. These services are not replacements for emergency help but can provide immediate, compassionate listening and guidance.
FAQ
A crisis team provides mental health assessment and treatment but doesn't transport you to hospital. An ambulance is for emergencies where you are at immediate physical risk, such as a seizure or an overdose. If you have taken something or are in immediate danger, call 999.