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24-hour Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service
CamdenIslingtonThe 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) offers a calm and therapeutic mental health setting to see the majority of emergency mental health presentations and represent an improvement on the service previously offered in busy emergency departments.
MHCAS offers full emergency mental health assessments and onward care planning in the department with a diverse and highly skilled mental health workforce incorporating support workers, peer coaches, nurses and doctors. MHCAS can support every aspect of emergency mental health care planning, from GP referrals to Mental Health Act Assessments.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusions
- anyone that would otherwise go to an emergency department for mental health reasons
- does not have an urgent medical need (for example an overdose of medication).
How to Refer
Crisis Single Point of Access (C-SPA)
C-SPA will triage the referral and may accept for the Crisis Team or signpost.
If the person needs to be seen immediately and would otherwise go to A&E they will transfer the call to MHCAS.
Self-referral
Telephone the 24/7 crisis line on 0800 917 3333 or contact the usual community mental health team.
If service users attend the 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service in person they will be seen but better to contact the crisis line in advance for advice to ensure people only leave home when absolutely necessary.
Locations
Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS)
Downloads
Resources
Related Services
Approved Mental Health Professionals
AMHPs carry out mental health services according to the MHA, such as sectioning NCL WideCamden Crisis Sanctuary
Free drop-in community service for people who are struggling to cope with their mental health CamdenDrayton Park Women's Crisis House and Resource Centre
Residential mental health crisis service for women who would otherwise be admitted to hospital CamdenIslingtonHighbury Grove Crisis House
Support service for short-term crisis interventions, short-term residential stays and evening drop-in centre IslingtonHome Treatment Team: Mental Health Crisis Team for Older Adults
Specialist support and treatment for elderly people in crisis CamdenIslingtonIslington Mind
A charity network helping residents with mental health concerns connect to their support networks and communities IslingtonMental Health Crisis Resolution Teams
Home-based assessment and treatment for urgent mental health problems CamdenIslingtonNorth Camden Crisis House
Residential care and treatment for people in mental health crisis in need of urgent care services CamdenSuicide Crisis Support for Men: James' Place
Therapeutic intervention service for men experiencing a suicidal crisis NCL WideThe Rivers Crisis House
Community facility providing support for adults experiencing a mental health crisis CamdenRelated Topics View All
Mental Health Crisis
Information about mental health crisis services available across NCL including for suicideNavigating Self-Care
Care navigators can find services by clinical need in this list of self-care optionsReview date: Thursday, 16 October 2025