Mental Health Forum
Mental Health Crisis Information Cards
Download a Crisis Information Card from 'Resources' to the right hand side of the page.
The Crisis Information Card allows you to say how you wish to be treated in a mental health emergency when you may have difficulty in making your wishes known. Its main purpose is to make sure that a person of your choice will be contacted to act as an advocate for you in these circumstances.
If you decide that you want to use the Crisis Information Card, remember to carry it with you - when folded it is small enough to fit in a purse or wallet.
If you are in crisis and detained by the police, your Crisis Information Card will notify them that you may be experiencing mental health problems and make appropriate arrangements for your care. The Police should contact your nominee immediately. Your Crisis Information Card makes it quite clear that it is your wish to have your nominee present.
Some legal points:
You cannot make a doctor give you a particular treatment in any circumstances. It may, however, be possible to refuse treatment in advance of a crisis. In order to do this you would need to make an 'advance directive'. Your Crisis Information Card is not an advance directive. If you wish to know more about advance directives, contact Jeremy Gluck with the details at the bottom of the page.
Your nominee is not legally allowed to make treatment decisions for you.
Assessment for Admission Under the Mental Health Act (being sectioned). The Code of Practice to the Act states that:-
If the patient would like another person (for example a friend) to be with him/her during the assessment and any subsequent action that may be taken, then ordinarily the A.S.W. (Approved Social Worker) should assist in securing that person's attendance unless the urgency of the case or some other proper reason makes it inappropriate to do so.' (Paragraph 2.12)
Completing and Using your Crisis Information Card
Name: - It is important to give very careful thought as to who to nominate in this section. It needs to be someone who you know and trust and with whom you are able to discuss your mental health problems and your wishes, someone who is usually available, someone who has enough confidence and is willing to help you make your wishes known to professionals.
If I appear distressed, please contact: - Make sure your nominee is in agreement with being named on your crisis card, is happy to be contacted at any time and understands fully what is required of them. Don't forget if your ideas about what you want to happen in a crisis change, you need to let your nominee know.
Other Information: - This is the place to give information about any medication you are taking, any allergies or special circumstances. You might also like to say what treatments have proved helpful or unhelpful in the past.
Other Useful Information: - This section is for any other useful information. Maybe a second nominee in case the first is not available or the name and telephone number of your key worker. It could also be used to give information about family commitments, pets that may need attention, personal preferences or particular concerns.
Some people feel that they would like to have their card acknowledged by their doctor, C.P.N. or Social Worker. There is a section for this on your card to use if that is your wish. If you prefer not to, you can leave it blank.
Remember to regularly update information on your Crisis Information Card.
For more information please contact Jeremy Gluck, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service, 7 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5NF. Tel: 01792 544020, email: jeremy_gluck@scvs.org.uk
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