"I was feeling a little unsteady": an evaluation into the effectiveness of the crisis respite service at meeting the needs of the people who use it

Abstract

This research is the first formal evaluation of the Wellington crisis respite service provided by Capital Coast Health Mental Health Services. Crisis respite is provided in the community as an alternative to hospital admission for some people in a crisis situation. It is provided in conjunction with the day hospital service at Te Whare O Matairangi. The research used an outcome evaluative approach to establish how well the service met the needs of those who used it from their perspective; what the service did to meet these needs; and to identify any changes needed in what and how the service operated that might better meet peoples needs. A postal survey was sent to people who accessed the crisis respite service over a three-month period. Sixty-three people were sent the postal survey to complete. Of these 63, 23 people (36%) completed the questionnaire. The respondents came from a range of socio-demographic backgrounds. The majority of people had been involved with mental health services in the month prior to accessing the service. Most people were informal although an unexpected high number (30%) reported that they were under the Mental Health Act. Decisions to use the crisis respite service were often made jointly by the person in consultation with mental health services and their family/whanau. Eighty-two percent of people were using the crisis respite service for the first time. The research raised questions regarding the use of the crisis respite service by people under the Mental Health Act or in supported accommodation these two findings requires further exploration. The experience of crisis respite was generally positive with the service being readily available to all that responded. Nearly everyone (96%) reported the service was either effective or very effective. Suggested improvements included increasing resources and changing daytime arrangements. The research concluded that the crises service, as a model of alternative care, is effective at meeting the needs of the people who use the service and is successful at keeping people out of hospital during a crisis. The service achieves this by focusing on peoples immediate needs in a safe and supportive environment and by working with people, their family and other mental health services to facilitate the person addressing their issues.