They're a kind of centralised team that specifically deal with your mental health problems. GPs aren't really qualified to solely manage mental health issues and so they refer people to the CMHT. As Chels said, it is a multidisciplinary approach with psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, CPNs, psychologists and so on.
It's their job to assess you and provide your care and treatment within their team. Depending on the outcome of your assessment, and your care plan, they might visit you at home (your keyworker would do this, this is the person appointed to you to meet with you and see how you are doing and co-ordinates your care) or take you out for a coffee and have a chat or even things like help you go shopping or working on things like using public transport if you have problems with it.
You can also be referred to resource (or occupational) therapy where you'd go to the CMHT for things like relaxation groups, arts and crafts, photography and so on.
Also, the psychiatrist (if you need to see one) is also based in the CMHT.
Long reply was long, but basically ask your GP if you are unsure but personally I found my care was much better managed when I was referred to the CMHT.
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