Coming home after a crisis · Here for Someone

Short answerBefore they leave, ask for the discharge or care plan, who to call if things worsen, what medication information they have been given and when their first follow-up will happen. In England, people discharged from adult mental-health inpatient services should be followed up within 72 hours.

If they are in danger now: call 999. For urgent mental-health help, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option. You can call about someone else.

Before they're discharged, ask

What's the plan, and who do we call? Get the written care plan and the crisis-team number, including out of hours.
What medication information do they need? Ask who to contact about side effects, missed doses or other concerns.
What is the follow-up plan? Confirm who will make contact within 72 hours, how they will contact the person and what to do if that contact does not happen.

Source: NHS England

NHS England says people discharged from adult mental-health inpatient services should be followed up within 72 hours.

More on this

Ask whether Section 117 aftercare applies

Some people who were detained for treatment under the Mental Health Act have a legal right to free mental-health aftercare. This includes people detained under Section 3 and some court or prison sections. The person's needs should be assessed before discharge and the services should be set out in a care plan.

Ask: “Are they entitled to Section 117 aftercare, and which parts of this plan are being provided under it?” It should not be charged for. If you think an eligible aftercare service is being charged for, the NHS advises getting legal advice.

NHS: mental-health aftercare after being sectioned.

If the plan is unclear or home does not feel safe

Say this before discharge. Ask who has considered housing, support at home, access to medication, substance use, risks to the person and risks to anyone they live with. Ask for the concern and response to be recorded.

If a current problem is not being resolved, PALS may help. The when services say no guide explains the complaints route.

Keep gently in touch

Keep in touch without hovering. Send a message that needs no reply, arrange a regular phone call or offer practical help such as bringing some shopping.

Make the plan while it's calm

During a calmer period, agree what you will both do if things get worse again. Fill in the crisis plan together so you have the early signs, what helps and who to call in one place.

Watch for the early signs

Warning signs differ from person to person. They might include changes in sleep, withdrawing, missed medication or appointments, or speech becoming more hopeless or unusually confident. Agree how they want you to mention a change you notice.

What to do in the first 72 hours

Keep the crisis number and discharge information nearby. Check that they know when medication is due and how follow-up will happen. If the team does not make the planned contact, call the number on the discharge plan. If their condition or risk gets worse, use NHS 111 or 999 rather than waiting for an appointment.

And you?

A crisis can affect you too. Visit Support for you or speak to your own GP if you are struggling.

Here for Someone is an independent information project. It is not a helpline, medical service or legal adviser. This page covers services in England; discharge arrangements differ elsewhere in the UK.

Sources checked: 27 August 2026

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