Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), which are an integral part of the NHS, provide assistance to individuals residing in the community who are facing complex and/or severe mental health issues.

The CMHT are there to help individuals manage their BPD and improve their mental health. They can provide short term or long term care in the community.

They are made up of various professionals which may include:

• psychiatrists
• psychologists
• community psychiatric nurses (CPN)
• social workers
• occupational therapists
• care coordinators
• support workers
• and more

Their goal is to serve as an early intervention, supporting the individual in maintaining their well-being and averting the need for hospitalization.

They are usually referral only, but generally an individual can be referred from:

• GPs
• psychiatric teams in A&E
• social services
• other mental health teams
• other NHS services
• the police
• you
• your family