Contents

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Preface

The Interviewees

Internal Structure

The Staff

Conclusion

Appendix 1. -

The Questionnaire

Appendix 2. -

Questionnaire Data

The Interviewees

The foundation for the first part of this survey is to establish what the Service Users requirements are, and so we looked at what services people were currently using in Camden. Of the 73 Camden residents interviewed 84% had been into Acute Psychiatric Wards with 52% having 1 – 3 admissions in the last two years. Mental Health Community Services used were Day Centres (54%), Day Hospitals (32%), Drop-In Services (42%) and other services such as drug, alcohol or eating disorder services (37%). 51% of those interviewed were using two or more of these services per week. These percentages reflect the potential usage of an alternative service, which would be provided by the Crisis House.

90% of those interviewed said they would definitely use a Crisis House Service if one was available and 89% said they would like to use a 24-hour Crisis Drop-In Service. In reflection of these views, it would be ideal to have a Crisis House which has a 24-hour Drop-In facility, perhaps in the same building but separated (which is the service that Highbury Grove Crisis House provides for Islington residents).

Reasons for using the Crisis House were described in quotes giving an insight into people’s needs, for example in answer to the question:

"Why would you use a Crisis House service?" we had the following responses:

- "To avoid reaching the stage where I need hospitalisation"

- "To prevent my condition worsening"

- "Because I fear being locked up in hospital"

- "Less stigma".

- "I have often felt worse on leaving hospital".

- "Because when I am ill, I’m isolated with agoraphobia, I would need encouragement to eat regularly and wash and to be positive and active".

When we asked "What do you think a Crisis House is for?", we obtained the following quotes:

- "To give much needed support in a more conducive atmosphere than generally provided by hospitals".

- "To use in time of need, for example, suicidal and if I have no support".

When asked at what point they would use a Crisis House instead of a hospital, the following quotes were made:

- "I would be more likely to contact medical professionals at an earlier stage of my illness".

- "A women only house is safer than hospital".

- "I would prefer it because hospital is scary and a Crisis House would be less scary".

- "Real alternative to hospital admission".

- "I would use it towards beginning of becoming unwell".

- "Looking to feel safe, when hospital feels like more pressure and stress".

- "I would prefer it to the hospital, I would find it more approachable and less institutional".

- "To prevent a hospital admission".

- "For people who are desperate or suicidal".

- "I think it would make me feel safe".

- "Rest from outside pressures, positive

active support, not forced medication, homely environment, not institutional looking".

The emphasis for a Crisis House should be preventing people’s distress, before it becomes so far advanced that it requires hospitalisation. This addresses the concern that hospital admission is currently the only solution. Hospital presents concerns of over-medication with people perhaps starting to lose control of their situation, and threatened by the atmosphere and restrictions of the hospital environment.