UK- Mental Health Liaison Team in A & E

[annamarie24]

Hi all,

Mental health liaison teams are quite common throughout A & E’s in UK, does anyone know if it is mandatory to speak to them after a self harm incident? I feel it is very much shoved onto you but just wondering if I could actually refuse.

Thanks

[hypercat54]

Yes of course you can refuse unless you are sectioned. Even then if you refuse to talk how are they going to make you? Thumbscrews? x

[Blueshirt]

I don't know; but for myself feel help at A&E is more process than substantive. They tick boxes, but don't actually do anything that helps in real terms

[annamarie24 in reply to Blueshirt]

Yeah I know, which is why I hate wasting my time talking to them, and then it starts a process of them contacting mental health team and it’s just unnecessary in my opinion. But just didn’t know if there were consequences to refusing

[hypercat54 in reply to annamarie24]

Well they could section you if you refuse treatment and they think you could be a danger to yourself or others. Why do you think counselling won't help you? x

[Daen]

Yes you can refuse to speak to them - nhs.uk/conditions/consent-t... and if my memory serves me correctly under the MHA/MHA COP they cannot tell you or imply if you do not engage with them that you will be sectioned.

Should someone still persist in trying to force themselves on me; I'd start by asking for their name and what type of worker they are - if they have a professional regulator complaints can be made both to the Trust employing them and to their regulator.