Joint Working Between Mental Health Crisis Service (CRISS) and Primary Care Alcohol Team (PCAT)

When individuals experience both mental health and addiction, the need for joined-up, compassionate care becomes critical. Too often, co-occurring conditions fall between the gaps of services that are designed to handle one issue or the other, but not both.

This case study highlights effective partnership working between the Mental Health Crisis Service (CRISS) and the Primary Care Alcohol Team (PCAT). It shows how collaboration, open communication, and shared responsibility can lead to a more coordinated and humane response for someone in acute distress.

“We contacted the CRISS team from PCAT regarding a person we had been working with. The individual was presenting signs of being in crisis, displaying symptoms of psychosis, and required an urgent assessment. Additionally, there were concerns regarding safeguarding risks.

After discussing the situation, CRISS agreed to conduct an assessment, though there were some initial misunderstandings about the role of our medical team and their ability to carry out crisis assessments.

It was agreed that CRISS would visit the individual, and they requested our presence as well. Together, we completed the assessment. I conducted the risk assessment while CRISS handled the necessary paperwork. Afterward, we returned to the CRISS office to discuss the findings and create a joint plan moving forward.

To ensure smooth communication, CRISS provided us with daily email updates regarding their plans to detain the individual. In turn, we sent them daily email updates, including SystemOne notes and other relevant details, as they did not have direct access to the system.”

This joint approach not only ensured that the individual received timely and appropriate care, but it also created a better understanding between teams. What began with some confusion about roles quickly became a coordinated effort built on mutual respect and shared responsibility.

In situations involving co-occurring conditions, collaboration is often the difference between crisis escalation and recovery support. The open communication channels and daily updates were vital in maintaining continuity of care and safeguarding both the individual and the professionals involved.

Stigma and system fragmentation continue to be major barriers for people with co-occurring conditions. Stories like this demonstrate that when services work together, rather than in isolation, we can respond more effectively, reduce risk, and ultimately save lives.

Through our Co-occurring Conditions: Stigma Kills campaign, we’re sharing examples of teamwork like this to show what good practice looks like, and inspire change elsewhere.