Mental Health, Distress and the Emergency Department
National Summit Communique
Care pathways for people in distress or with mental health problems who present to emergency departments or services are inadequate. A coherent multi-agency whole system national strategy is urgently needed in order to prevent potentially avoidable poor health and justice outcomes of those affected. On 18 October 2019, at the Law Enforcement and Public Health Mental Health Special Interest Group (LEMH SIG) Summit, 85 delegates met to discuss the current situation in Scotland and internationally. The purpose of the Summit was to develop plans for best inter-agency practices for dealing with mental health and distress in or around the emergency department, and for these to be applicable to national and international implementation. This Communique details the seven key areas required for urgent and collaborative action to improve responses to those presenting to emergency departments or services in mental health distress.