Crisis Care Concordat action plans published for all areas across England

All 152 local areas pledged their support for the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat by the end of 2014 and every one has now developed and agreed an action plan.

The Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat is an agreement between services and agencies involved in the care and support of people in crisis. The Concordat was introduced in February 2014 and is signed by 22 national bodies involved in health, policing, social care, housing, local government and the third sector. The Concordat focuses on four main areas: access to support before crisis point; urgent and emergency access to crisis care; quality of treatment and care when in crisis; and recovery and staying well.

Action plans have been checked and approved by Mind and we will continue to work alongside local areas to provide support and help them implement their plans. Each action plan is available online at www.crisiscareconcordat.org.uk.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:

“There has been a huge collective effort by hundreds of different services and agencies across the public and third sectors to pledge to improve support for people who are at their most unwell and to work out the detail of how this will happen. We are really pleased to have seen such an overwhelming commitment from all sides to putting an end to this.

“We must now see these plans turned into action. For too long people with mental health problems have had to put up with an emergency response that is inferior to that which we all take for granted when we have a physical health emergency. Over a million people use specialist mental health services every year, a number that is growing and growing as increasing numbers seek support. Countless more suffer in silence or try to access help but don’t get what they need. We lose 4,500 people to suicide in England every year.

“The Concordat has the potential to transform the support for people in crisis and to dramatically affect the experiences and recovery of people with mental health problems. We know that where excellent crisis care exists, it saves lives. Local health services, local authorities, the criminal justice system and voluntary organisations must deliver a joined-up service and learn from each other to truly provide the best possible care.”

For more information about the concordat, visit www.crisiscareconcordat.org.uk