Mental Health Rapid Response Service (MHRRS) for Brighton and Hove

We provide an urgent response service to the people of Brighton & Hove when they feel they are in a mental health crisis and are at immediate risk of harming themselves or others.

What support does the service provide?

The MHRRS service is able to support adults who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health, who think they are at risk of harming themselves or others.

Examples of urgent mental health problems:

at high risk of suicide, with specific intention to act
at high risk to self or others
significant mental health concerns
require immediate attention

Who can access the service?

The Mental Health Rapid Response Service accepts referrals for adults aged 18 and above, who are currently in Brighton and Hove, with urgent mental health problems requiring assessment.

Referrals can come from anyone concerned about someone experiencing a mental health crisis. It can be made by the individual themselves, their carer, health professionals or the Police. The service is both for individuals known to services and people not known to services.

There are occasions when the MHRRS practitioner will need to refer someone directly to A&E, for example when someone is acutely intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, or when there is a medical issue requiring urgent attention.

The MHRRS team will then contact the Mental Health Liaison Team in A&E to handover relevant information and reasoning for referral.

How do I make a referral?

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.

Within 30 minutes, a face to face appointment will be offered for a suitable time and location. This can take place at Mill View Hospital in Hove, East Brighton Community Mental Health Centre, the individual's home or at another suitable place in the community.

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.

How do I contact MHRRS?

Telephone: 0300 304 0078, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.