The Waltham Forest Crisis Alternative

Tender description

The primary aims of the Waltham Forest Mental Health Crisis Alternative are to: • Provide immediate, non-clinical support for individuals experiencing or wishing to prevent a mental health crisis, preventing escalation to statutory services like emergency departments and psychiatric liaison teams. • Reduce pressure on emergency services by offering a safe, non-medical alternative to hospital-based crisis interventions. • Address mental health inequalities by providing targeted support to underserved and underrepresented groups in Waltham Forest, including the Eastern European, Black African and Caribbean, refugee, and Asian/Asian British communities. • Promote early intervention and de-escalation through crisis listening, safety planning, and peer support, empowering individuals to manage their mental health and avoid future crises. • Enhance community resilience by offering practical support and linking individuals to appropriate local services, thereby reducing social isolation and promoting long-term mental wellbeing. • Collaborate with local VCSEs and statutory services to ensure an integrated care pathway, allowing smooth transitions between community and clinical services where needed. This service supports the objectives of the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and aligns with the Waltham Forest Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), which emphasizes mental health as a key priority. The NHS Long-Term Plan and the North East London Joint Forward Plan highlight the importance of non-clinical, community-based crisis services that reduce the pressure on statutory services, emergency departments, and inpatient facilities. The Crisis Alternative will serve as a critical component of Waltham Forest’s mental health crisis pathway, complementing existing services such as the Walthamstow Community Hub.