Supporting Carers
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who is providing help or support to a family member, partner or a friend who is experiencing a health problem. As a carer you could be providing practical help or emotional support. You may live with the person you are caring for or provide care from a distance.
You may not think of yourself as a carer, but if you are providing support for someone who is using our services then this leaflet will give you some useful information about the support you can expect.
Caring for Carers
We recognise the vital role that carers play in supporting people who use our service. We know it can often be difficult to support someone close to you, especially if you feel unsupported yourself.
When a person is under Home Treatment care, different members of the team will visit. They will give you general advice and help you get support as a carer. As long as the person you care for gives us permission, we will make sure you are involved in the planning of the care for the person you care for and will also give you details of the local carer centre. Carer centres are charitable organisations that provide support and services to anyone providing informal care and support to a family member or friend.
Carer’s assessments
A carer’s assessment identifies what help you may need and makes sure you are supported as a carer. These are provided by the local authority. You do not have to have a carer’s assessment if you prefer not to, but you can revisit this in the future if situation changes. When you are assessed, you will be asked questions about how your caring role affects your life. You will be asked about what support you think would be useful to you and the person you care for. The information you give will be used to write a carer’s support plan which is then agreed with you. To request a carer’s assessment, you can contact the local authority directly either by:
Telephone:
Telford – 01952 741880 / Shropshire - 0345 678 9044
Text Back Service Telford - 07537 453177
Email:
Telford - familyconnect
Shropshire - firstpointofcontact
Website:
Welcome to CRHT
Supporting a family member or friend with a mental health issue can be rewarding but also challenging. This leaflet answers some of the questions you may have as a family member or friend supporting someone using our service. It includes sources of additional information and details of the support networks available to you.
What is Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT)?
Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) teams can support people if they have a mental health crisis outside of hospital. They can also help facilitate early discharge from hospital to provide home treatment.
We will work closely with you, the service user and other professionals to provide intensive support, assessment and treatment. Our team will work with you to draw on your strengths and skills to improve their mental health.
Whilst they are under our care, you can access the team 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The service we provide will be short term in nature, however, will be intensive and flexible to meet your needs.
CRHT is currently operating on a 24 hour basis 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
Who works in a CRHT team?
Mental Health Nurses and other registered professionals can provide:
- Ongoing assessment of the service user’s needs.
- The development of a personalised care plan.
- Help to administer and monitor medications.
Support workers can provide:
- Support in the delivery of brief interventions in line with a personalised care plan.
- Support in signposting to other appropriate agencies
- Physical health monitoring.
Social workers can provide:
- A unique perspective that helps stabilise individuals in crisis, identifying social care needs and connecting them with the long-term support they need.
Occupational therapists can provide:
- Assessment and intervention for general functioning and daily living skills.
- Holistic care planning to address both mental health needs and functional challenges.
- Using activity and routine to improve coping skills, manage stress and regain a sense of control.
Psychiatrists can provide:
- Clinical assessment of mental health conditions
- Prescribe medication if appropriate and monitor its effectiveness.
What can CRHT offer people in a mental health crisis?
- An alternative to hospital admission by visiting the person in their home or elsewhere in the community.
- A period of support following discharge from hospital.
- Support the person and their carer at every stage throughout their crisis.
- Short - term psychological interventions with members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- Administer and monitor medications.
- Signpost to services offering practical help (e.g. with money, housing or childcare arrangements).
- Forwarding referrals to the appropriate pathways for longer term support.
What should I expect if the person I care for is open to the team?
- They will be seen by staff who will conduct an ongoing assessment of their needs.
- There will be oversight by the medical team
- During visits they will be supported to develop and practice coping strategies to use during crisis.
- If their level of need changes, their level of care will be reviewed - this means there may be a change in treatment, increase in home visits or consideration for hospital admission.
Medication
The person you care for may be prescribed medication. The Trust and the team provides information leaflets about any medications prescribed, which details how the medication should be taken and any side effects that may occur. If you do want specific information, please ask a member of the team.
The Trust also has a web-page which provides information about the medications we use. Visit the Choice and Medication website.
Safety planning
A safety plan is a structured way to help patients plan a range of coping strategies, activities and sources of support they can use at the right time to help them prevent or manage a developing crisis.
A safety plan should be completed collaboratively between the patient and a mental health worker.
The patient should receive a copy of their safety plan and, wherever possible, their family member or carer should receive a copy too.
Carer involvement in safety planning
It is our intention to involve a family member or carer in any safety planning exercises wherever possible. This should ensure the best response can be agreed should a crisis develop.
It is important that family members and carers receive a copy of their safety plan, however, this will rely on the patient giving consent to share information with the family member or carer.
Risk warning signs
We understand that carers are fundamental to mental health care and realise that caring might involve looking after someone who may be at risk of self-harm or be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
A person may be at high risk of attempting suicide if they:
- Threaten to hurt or take their own life.
- Talk or write about death, dying or suicide.
- Actively look for ways to take their own life, such as stockpiling tablets.
Other signs that someone might be at risk
When someone is thinking about suicide, their words and actions can give you clues that they are at risk of hurting themselves. The following can be suicide warning signs:
- Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “I wish I hadn’t been born,” “If I see you again…” and “I’d be better off dead.”
- Looking for a way to end their life – Searching for a method or seeking access to medicines/ other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
- Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence.
- No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped. Belief that things will never get better or change.
- Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden.
- Getting affairs in order – Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members.
- Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.
- Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.
- Self-destructive behaviour – Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving, unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks.
- Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has decided to attempt suicide.
You might not always be able to spot these signs, and these emotions show up differently in everyone.
If you notice any of these warning signs in a friend, relative or loved one, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling. It is important to remember that:
- These signs are not always present, and their absence does not guarantee safety.
- If you notice any of these signs, take them seriously and seek help immediately.
What you can do:
- Talk openly and honestly with your loved one about your concerns.
- Listen attentively without judgment and offer support.
- Encourage them to seek professional help and attend appointments.
- Educate yourself about mental health and your loved one's specific condition.
- Take care of yourself. Supporting someone in crisis can be emotionally draining. Make sure to prioritise your own well-being.
Who to contact in a crisis or emergency
All patients and carers using Crisis Resolution/ Home Treatment service can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There will be occasions where we will be unable to take your call but there is a voicemail facility which we routinely check throughout the day/ night. As always in the event of a significant health emergency call 999 for an ambulance without delay.
If you want to contact us a team member (called the ‘shift coordinator’) will be available to assist you.
CRHT – 01952 741880
Contact the emergency services on 999 if you are concerned for either their or your own immediate safety.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback to help us improve our service. This can be accessed via the QR code or in a paper form available from a member of the team.
Other useful contacts
Access Team
24 Hour Mental health support
Shropshire Mental Health Support
Visit the Shropshire Mental Health Support website
Samaritans
Confidential/emotional support
Free phone number 116 123 (24/7 service)
Shout
For free , confidential, anonymous support, you can text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to a volunteer.
Other useful contacts for Carers
CARERS UK
AGE UK
Independent Advocacy for older people
Silverline
A 24/7 helpline run for older adults by Age UK.
Citizen’s Advice
Visit the Citizen's Advice website
Shropshire Recovery Partnership
Support with drug/alcohol issues in Shropshire
Telford STARS
Support with drug/alcohol issues in Telford