What we need to do to get mental health on Triple Zero, is already doing it.
G'day Friends of Mental Health Triple Zero,
Many of us have seen or heard about the Triple Zero crisis in Victoria. My heart goes out to anyone in an emergency situation including the First Responders.
There is an option.
Mental health could and should be a seperate First Responder option. Covid has played its hand.
The following is taken from Health Direct website, the Australian Government funded information and service for all things health.
'If someone has tried to harm themselves or someone else, or you think they are about to, call triple zero (000) immediately or go with them to an emergency department.
Another option in a crisis is to contact your local crisis assessment and treatment team (CATT). This is a team that provides immediate help during a mental health crisis. Experiencing or caring for someone during a mental health crisis can be frightening but help is available 24 hours a day
What is a crisis assessment and treatment team?
A CATT is a group of people who work together and includes mental health professionals such as psychiatric nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists. They are based in major hospitals. In some parts of Australia they are called Psychiatric Emergency Teams (PET).
What does a CATT do?
A CATT responds to urgent requests to help people in mental health crisis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A mental health crisis can include:
a psychotic episode
self-harm
feeling suicidal
feeling out of control
It might be the flare-up of an existing condition like schizophrenia or someone's first experience of mental illness. There might be an obvious cause for the crisis, or there might not be.
Whether at home or elsewhere, the CATT assesses the person's current mental state, their psychiatric history, what social support they have and more. They will work with the person involved and their family and/or carer to determine the best way to help.
One option is to provide intensive treatment, care and support at home, and this is what they hope to do. But there are times when treatment in hospital is needed. If so, they will help the person get to hospital by arranging referrals and transport.
CATTs also work with other services such as police, ambulance, alcohol and drug services, child protection and community services where necessary'.
Website Reference:
CATT – the crisis assessment and treatment team (October 2019)
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/crisis-management
Ok, I'm back. THIS IS WHERE A MENTAL HEALTH TRIPLE ZERO OPTION MAKES SENSE (sorry for the capitals, I'm passionate) - every CATT has a different number depending on the public hospital in which they are based.
To get the number, you or a carer needs to access the details of your local hospital. Do you know your local hospital number?
Going online and Googling local hospital isn't easy in an emergency. To get mental health emergency care takes a whole bunch of unnecessary hurdles. Would it be appropriate to dial five different numbers and speak to five different people if your house was on fire?
Imagine dialling 000 instead and asking for Mental Health. The Triple Zero worker does the direct connection for you.
CATT.