Your first contact: calm, private and without pressure
The first conversation is not a commitment to treatment. Its purpose is to understand the situation, urgency and one safe next step.
Where to begin
You do not need the whole history or the right clinical words. Start with what is happening now: who is affected, what has changed, whether anyone is in immediate danger and what worries you most. The person concerned or a relative can make the first contact.
What we will ask
A professional will ask about the current condition, last use, breathing and consciousness, aggression or self-harm risk, known health conditions and medication. These questions are not curiosity; they separate a conversation that can wait from a situation needing emergency care.
- You can begin without giving a full name
- You do not need to agree to a programme
- A relative may contact us first
What you should leave with
A good first contact ends with clarity, not pressure. The next step may be calling 112, an in-person medical assessment, a planned consultation or a few practical safety measures for the family. If we are not the right service, we should say so plainly.