Navigating Services During a Crisis

You do not need to understand the whole system at once. Start with the situation that fits best.

Urgent Situations

Start here if something has just happened or someone is currently moving through police, hospital, custody, or housing services.

If someone has been arrested while in distress, there should still be consideration for their mental health.
- You can ask for a mental health assessment
- Police should consider vulnerability and risk
- Support does not stop because someone is in custody
Learn what should happen and what to do→
- You should not be discharged without considering your safety
- Housing, transport, and support should be addressed
- If you feel unsafe, seek help immediately
What support should be in place→
Discharge should not happen without a plan.
- You should know who to contact
- You should have somewhere safe to go
- Follow-up care should be arranged
What a safe discharge looks like→
If a mental health crisis has caused you to become homeless or at risks of homelessness, services may be able to provide additional support.
- You may be entitled to emergency accommodation
- Local councils have a duty to assess your situation
- Support services can help advocate for you
What help is available→

These guides explain what services may consider and what should happen during assessments, court involvement, or rights-based situations.

If a crisis has led to legal involvement, it’s important your mental health is recognised.
- Courts can consider mental health in decisions
- Reports or assessments may be requested
- You have the right to representation
How Mental Health is Considered in Court→
You may be assessed by professionals to understand your needs and risks.
- This can happen in police custody, hospital, or community settings
- It should consider your safety and wellbeing
- You can ask questions and be involved
What to expect from an assessment →
Even in crisis, your rights matter.
- You should be treated with dignity and respect
- Your mental health should be taken seriously
- You should not be left without appropriate support
‍ ‍Understand your rights clearly →

If support is unclear, delayed, or not joined up, these guides can help you speak up and ask for what is needed.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up.
- Ask questions
- Request assessments or support
- Involve someone you trust if possible
Practical ways to advocate →
You may not know which service is responsible — and that’s okay.
Start with the most urgent need:
- Safety: emergency services or NHS 24
- Mental health: GP, crisis team, NHS 24, or local mental health services
- Housing: your local council homelessness team
- Legal advice: a solicitor, especially if police or court are involved
- Ongoing support: charities, advocacy services, or community organisations
Find the right contact→
Sometimes systems don’t work as they should.
- Mental health needs may be overlooked
- Communication between services can break down
- People may be discharged without proper support
If something feels wrong, trust that instinct.
You are allowed to question it and seek help.
What to do if support isn’t right →