What do they do if you go to A&E?

[35mm]

I'm feeling very suicidal right now and have voices telling me to jump in front of a train. I'm out of options; just went to see my CPN and she simply sent me off home, kinda dismissing what I was saying. I need to be taken seriously, and I don't feel I can keep myself safe today. So, what is the process if you go to A&E?

[Heaven Knows]

Hi.

Sorry you're feeling so desperate right now.

When I went to A&E for feeling suicidal they took me into a quiet room and let me sit there for a while and they also got me to see the on call mental health team.

I hope you manage to get some support.

x Katie x

[Bellatrix]

It's VERY boring. Sp take a book! But better than being home, because although you're just sat alone you're safer from harming yourself. You'll have to wait a few hours then you'll see the on call psych folk and will get to talk to them/plan what youd find helpful.

[Ballerina123]

I work in a&e so hopefully be able to give you some advice.

To be honest how long you wait will depend on how busy it is. They may see you very quickly if they are not busy. If they are busy you may sit in the waiting room for a few hours. I think this wait would make me feel worse because I get very agitated when I'm depressed and just sitting waiting for things, however like Bellatrix said, for some people it makes them feel safer.
I have seen people be seen and discharged in an hour before and I have also seen people wait 10 to see the psych team (so yea take a magazine)

I would highly recomented going to a&e if you feel suicidal I just think it is good for you to know that you may have a long wait.

Once you have been seen by a general doctor they will contact the cmht about you visit to a&e. The cmht will then decide what happens with you.
The cmht will look at your current care plan and decide from there. In my experience about 50% of people who attend a&e feeling suicidal will be given the number for the crisis team and sent home, around 40% will be sent home and asked to contact their GP or care team in the morning (this sounds harsh but it is usually because most people who attend a&e feeling suicidal tend to already be under the cmht and have a care plan, including crisis plan, in place, so that plan is administered instead), 8-9% will be sent home with no follow up because their time in the waiting room will help them to re-think their plans/feelings and about 1-2% will be admitted to a psych ward.

In your case (I read your other thread) I imagin you will be part of the 40%. If you were to harm yourself I still think once you where medically stable you would be sent home. This is mostly because your current care involves keeping your service use to a minimum so your team would want to implement that.

I think you should go to a&e because upon assessment you may fall into a different category (what I assume above could be different to what happens, I do not have all you info so it is likely my assumption are wrong). Also going there shows you are taking responsibility for your problem and it could work in your favor.

I hope this has helpped. If you have any specific question let me know I'll be happy to answer.