Supporting Children and Young People Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis - easy read version

What is a mental health crisis?

A mental health crisis is when a person is unable to cope and may be at risk of hurting themselves or others. They would need urgent help from others to support their mental health.

There are different reasons for mental health crisis in a child's or young person’s life. These can include social, economic, health, and other factors.

A crisis might not be caused by a medical or mental health condition. It could be a result of a difficult social situation. The main aim should always be to give the support that is needed.

We know that:

• Young people in crisis can ask for help from different people. This could include school or specialist services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

• Not every child or young person in crisis will need specialist help. But some will.

• Every situation is different so the way of managing every crisis will also be different.

• The help given will be different for every child or young person.