South Gloucestershire Intensive Team

What is the Intensive Team?

If you experience a severe mental health crisis, the Intensive Team can provide care and support at home. Before our team was available, this type of crisis would usually have resulted in a hospital admission.

Who are we?

We are a team of mental health workers with a broad range of skills and experience.

What do we do?

Our aim is to work closely and effectively with you and anyone caring for you.

We will:

Work out possible reasons for your difficulties;

Find the best ways for you to recover and stay well;
Agree the frequency of contact with you and family/carers and change this in response to individual need and urgent concerns;
Remain hopeful that change can happen for you and your family

What happens when someone is referred to us?

A senior member of clinical staff will contact you on the day to discuss your situation. We may arrange to visit you, or we may refer you to another service, or we may refer you back to your GP.

What do we offer?

Support to help you stay safe.
Help to recognise possible early signs of distress, and to find ways of dealing with these.
Practical support to help you to develop ways of coping, such as anxiety management and relaxation.
Advice about medication.
Support to help you feel less isolated and to get involved in activities and groups of your choice.
Practical help with daily living such as help with benefits, housing, budgeting, shopping and childcare advice.
If you are admitted to hospital and it is appropriate, we will support you in getting home as soon as possible.
Support and information for carers and families on aspects of mental health treatments and local support networks.

How long do we provide support?

Our service is short term, often between four and six weeks. We aim for you to be seen by the same workers throughout your care.However on occasion due to the shift system, we may need to introduce you to other team members.

Advocacy

If you need someone to speak for you and your rights, or to help you to speak for yourself, you can contact: 03333 447 928 or southglos@swanadvocacy.org.uk

Other support

Bristol Sanctuary: A place to go when you are in serious emotional distress.

Fri-Mon 5pm-12am

Tel: 0117 954 2952
Txt: 07709 295 661

Distract App: Self Harm and Suicide Support

Stay Alive App: Suicide Support

Calm Harm App: Help to manage the urge to self-harm

Bristol Mindline: Wed-Sun from 8pm to midnight: 0808 808 0330

Samaritans: Freephone: 116 123

Shout: The UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere, text: 85258

How can I contact the Intensive Team?

You can contact us on this number 365 days of the year and 24 hours a day:

Tel: 0117 378 4250

From 17:00 – 21:45 your phone call will be answered by our trained switchboard message takers.

From 21:45 – 08:30 calls will be answered by our BNSSG Helpline staff.

Please say you would like to speak to the South Gloucestershire Intensive Team and leave your name and phone number. We will then contact you as quickly as possible.

In case of medical emergencies: Dial 999

In case of physical health concerns: Dial 111