Call the MHRRS team on 0300 304 0078 - if the line is busy, you will receive an advice message. The member of staff will ask for the name, contact details, GP details and other details of the individual. They will want to know about the current concern and risks to the individual, and they will complete a MHRRS referral form.
Depending on the person's situation, mental health presentation and level of risk, an appointment may be offered for an assessment. Ideally this will be organised to occur within the next four hours. Other factors will be be taken into consideration when planning an assessment, such as whether the person is intoxicated, or if they are a risk to other people.
Currently, due to COVID19, assessments are taking place via video link, or if the staff on duty consider it appropriate, somewhere in the community. MHRRS is staffed by eight practitioners across the whole week and there are between one and three people on each shift. When assessments are taking place this can leave a single person answering the crisis line. Practitioners will use their clinical judgement to decide who takes priority when referrals come in.
At the end of the assessment the practitioner and individual will agree on a safety plan and a care plan. The individual will then be given a paper copy of this to keep with them.