Question

The Coates article describes three models of crisis care in the community. Discuss your understanding of each of those models.

Answer 1

1 - Acute / Crisis assertive outreach models

Assertive outreach teams are part of secondary mental health services and are usually attached to the community mental health team. They work with people who are 18 to 65 years old who have particularly complex needs and need more intensive support to work with services.

2 - Community crisis clinic

A crisis clinic is a resource for individuals going through a mental health crisis. They provide mental health services and emotional support for their state or local communities. Most crisis centers are non-profit and many utilize trained volunteers as well as mental health professionals.

3 - Joint crisis models between mental health and police or ambulance

Police and ambulance play an important role in responding to people in mental health crisis. Police and ambulance often transport people in mental health crisis to emergency departments for an assessment or treatment. It is estimated that around twenty percent of all mental health presentations to EDs are brought in by police.