What is the meaning of crisis care?
A mental health crisis can happen to anyone; it does not matter how strong, successful, or supported they might seem. It might be a young person overwhelmed by school pressures, an adult facing sudden life changes, or someone with ongoing mental health needs who suddenly finds things spiralling out of control.
A crisis can look different for everyone. For one person, it may mean pacing around the house in panic, unable to sleep for nights on end. For another, it could be feeling so low that they can’t get out of bed or eat. Some people might hear voices telling them to harm themselves, while others might become so distressed that they lash out in frustration. In these moments, quick, calm, and skilled help can make a life-changing difference.
Why Crisis Care Matters?
In the UK, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem each year. While not all of these situations are emergencies, many can turn into a crisis if the right help isn’t available. For some, there is no time to wait for an appointment in weeks; they need help right now.
This is where crisis care steps in. It is designed to respond fast, and at standby24, we are able to offer support within 4 hours. That kind of speed can mean the difference between stabilising a situation at home and an emergency hospital admission. In mental health, minutes matter, and acting quickly can prevent harm, protect dignity, and begin the path toward recovery.
Good crisis services are part of mental health awareness in action — they not only respond in emergencies but also help communities understand what mental health crises look like and how to respond.
What is Crisis Care?
Crisis care is the immediate help given to someone going through a serious mental health emergency. It’s not about offering long-term therapy or routine check-ins; it’s about stepping in when things are at their most urgent and making sure the person is safe and supported.
For example:
⦿ A man who has been struggling with depression for months calls a helpline saying he has made a plan to end his life.
⦿ A woman experiencing paranoia and hallucinations suddenly becomes distressed and runs out of her home in the middle of the night.
⦿ A teenager stops eating, stops speaking, and isolates themselves completely from friends and family.
In all of these cases, crisis care means assessing what is happening, creating a safety plan, and taking steps to keep the person and those around them safe. It’s also about hope. Even in the most challenging moments, crisis care focuses on calming the situation, making the person feel heard, and guiding them toward the next stage of help.
In England, around 8% of adults report experiencing a mental health crisis each year. This highlights how common it is and why understanding crisis care and its workings is crucial for mental health awareness in our communities.
Why Timely Crisis Care Matters
When a mental health crisis happens, time is often the most crucial factor. Waiting too long for help can allow distress to build, risks to increase, and situations to spiral out of control. The NHS has found that delays in crisis response can lead to 40% more hospital admissions. This is not just about cost or resources; it’s about the emotional impact on the person in crisis, their family, and the wider community.
Quick help can:
⦿ Ease distress before it becomes overwhelming.
⦿ Prevent unsafe situations from escalating.
⦿ Keep people in familiar surroundings where possible.
One of the most essential parts of good crisis care is person-centred planning. This means looking at the whole person, their needs, their likes and dislikes, their history, and creating a bespoke care plan that works for them.
Some crisis teams, including our team at Standby24, use Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plans. These are designed to reduce challenging behaviour in a respectful, supportive way, often by understanding what triggers distress and finding strategies to avoid those situations in the future. When people know that fast, skilled help is available, it also encourages mental health awareness, as more families, friends, and workplaces feel confident in seeking help early.
How Crisis Teams Work
Crisis teams are made up of highly trained support workers, nurses, and mental health specialists who know how to handle intense and urgent situations.
The process is usually straightforward but highly focused:
Step-by-step:
1. Rapid mobilisation – Arriving within hours, not days, to give urgent support.
2. Comprehensive assessment – Looking at risks, needs, and how best to keep the person safe.
3. Creating a safety plan – Deciding what actions to take right now and in the next few days.
4. Working with family and carers – Making sure everyone is involved in supporting the person.
5. Upskilling on-site staff – Giving training and guidance so care can continue smoothly.
In some services, technology plays a significant role. For example, at Standby24, we use systems like PASS that allow staff to log care notes, update plans, and share important information instantly. This means everyone involved, from crisis staff to long-term carers, is always working from the same up-to-date information.
This blend of human care and smart technology helps ensure the right actions are taken quickly, without unnecessary delays or confusion.
Safe Discharges & Bridging the Gap
Leaving the hospital or another acute setting can be a huge relief, but also a risky time. Without the proper support, people can quickly become unwell again.
Crisis teams often help with these safe discharges, whether the person is leaving:
⦿ A mental health ward.
⦿ A secure unit.
⦿ Police custody.
The aim is to make the move safe, calm, and well-supported. This might involve:
⦿ Visiting the person at home on their first day out.
⦿ Creating or updating a care plan that reflects their current needs.
⦿ Training the permanent staff who will be supporting them.
By bridging the gap between hospital and home, we at standby24 reduce the chances of relapse or readmission. This helps not just the individual, but also their family, who can feel reassured that someone is looking out for their loved one in those first crucial days. We also work closely with local teams, ensuring a smooth handover and consistent care for the person.
When these discharges are handled well, they also become a chance to raise mental health awareness, so the person, their carers, and their community better understand what support is available.
Supporting Young People in a Mental Health Crisis
A mental health crisis in a young person can be very different from one in an adult. It can show up as sudden mood changes, extreme withdrawal, self-harm, or aggressive outbursts. In 2023, over 420,000 children in England were in contact with mental health services. This number is rising, which means more young people may need crisis care in the future.
This is where the idea of young people and mental health becomes especially important. Teenagers and children need approaches that are sensitive, patient, and easy to understand.
Crisis teams working with them focus on:
⦿ Listening without judgement.
⦿ Explaining things in a way they understand.
⦿ Making sure their environment feels safe.
⦿ Helping parents or carers know what to do next.
This stage of life is already full of changes and challenges, so a crisis can feel overwhelming. Quick, kind support, such as the specialist youth crisis response we provide at Standby24, can help a young person feel seen, heard, and guided back toward stability. It also provides families with better tools and awareness for future support, underscoring the importance of young people and mental health as a community priority.
Collaboration with Families and Professionals
In crisis care, no one works alone. Families, carers, teachers, GPs, and social workers can all have valuable insight into what helps and what doesn’t. By involving these people in planning and decision-making, crisis teams can create better, more personalised care. This approach not only helps in the moment but also reduces the risk of future crises.
Families often say that just knowing what is happening and being part of the plan reduces their stress and helps them support their loved one better. At Standby24, we make it a priority to work alongside families and professionals to ensure care is consistent and respectful. These conversations are also a natural time to promote mental health awareness, so everyone knows how to spot warning signs and respond before situations become urgent.
Conclusion: Moving Forward from a Crisis
A mental health crisis can feel like the lowest point, but with skilled help, it can also be the start of something better. Research shows that timely crisis care can cut the risk of relapse by 32%. That means fewer repeated emergencies, less time in the hospital, and more stability in everyday life.
If you, or someone you care about, is in crisis:
⦿ Act quickly.
⦿ Reach out for skilled support.
⦿ Remember that recovery is possible.
A crisis does not define a person’s whole story. With proper care delivered at the right time, we can move forward into a safer, calmer future. By continuing to build mental health awareness, we can ensure more people have that chance.