Support in a crisis

Every person who uses our services receives an assessment of their mental health needs and a plan of the care and support they will receive. This is called a care plan and you will be given a copy to keep.

Every care plan includes a crisis plan that helps to identify possible early warning signs of a crisis, explore the use of coping strategies and support to reduce the crisis and prevent hospitalisation. They also identify your practical needs if you are admitted to hospital.

If you are experiencing a crisis and you need help, the first person to contact is your named professional or care co-ordinator. If it is urgent and they are not available, ask for the duty manager.

If you are a current patient of ours and you need help at night or on weekends/bank holidays you can call our mental health support line.

Our telephone support line offers emotional support and advice to patients and their carers who are affected by mental health issues.

• Contact us on 0800 028 8000

In an emergency, if you are worried about your immediate safety or have thoughts about hurting yourself or other people:

• Call 999 for emergency services or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.

If you are not currently a patient of ours you should speak to your GP (family doctor).

Recovery Cafes

Are you struggling with your mental health and finding it difficult to cope?

Come along to one of our Recovery Cafés for a safe and supportive space. There’s no need for an appointment, just turn up and you’ll be met by a listening ear, and benefit from companionship and from engaging in therapeutic support. The cafes also provide:

• Group activities
• One- to-one support
• Chill out space
• Advice, information & signposting
• Hot meals and drinks
• Drop in from local mental health teams

Our Recovery cafes are based in Tooting and Wimbledon but are there to help adults (18 years+) with mental health issues from the South London boroughs of Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Richmond and Kingston.  You don't need to book or have a formal referral. You just need to turn up. You can also ring ahead if you need any support around travelling to the café or would like to speak with a member of staff beforehand.

Opening Hours:  Monday to Friday 6pm - 11pm, Saturday Sunday and Bank holidays 12noon - 11pm

The Cafés will close at 11:00pm promptly each night and customers will be supported to plan their journey home during their visit to the Cafés.

• pdf Download poster (467 KB)
• pdf Download leaflet (455 KB)
• Download FAQs for pdf Healthcare professionals (244 KB) , pdf Customers (201 KB) , pdf General (188 KB)

Please note: The cafés do not provide accommodation and are not designed to support young people under 18 years old or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Lotus Assessment Suite

If you, or a family member, experiences a mental health crisis you may find that you are referred to the Lotus Assessment Suite. 

The Lotus Assessment Suite provides a safe and stable, calming environment away from A&E which allows mental health staff to undertake more detailed and informed assessments of people experiencing a mental health crisis and to agree what the best follow up support for them will be.

The time and space that the suite offers gives patients time to think through the immediate crisis and the sort of help they need to recover, both over the short and longer term.

It also gives staff time to carry out an informed assessment, create a collaborative, tailored treatment plan and make appropriate arrangements for on-going support in the community where feasible.

The assessment suite is not a ward and does not have beds but we will ensure your comfort, privacy and dignity through:

• Meals and Snacks
• Access to shower/bathroom facilities
• Recliner chairs enabling people to rest/sleep as required

Referrals to the Lotus Assessment Suite will mainly come from within acute hospitals’ liaison psychiatry service and the mental health Street Triage team in partnership with the police and ambulance services. It is also possible for referrals to be made from Crisis and Home Treatment Teams.

pdf Download the service leaflet (773 KB)