"Response from mental health crisis team@Somerset partnership trust"

This happened a few months ago but I have been too upset and unwell to share it any earlier. To cut a long story short, I called the crisis team stating that I did not feel I could keep myself safe, the person on the phone was perfectly professional, gave me advice and promised to call back when they had discussed my case with other team members, and I did get a call back, stating that someone would came and talk to me later that evening. Again, no problem, two staff members turned up and we discussed what help I would need, such as being taken out for a cup of tea! Well hello! I was feeling suicidal, not in need of a drink. This felt very patronising, as if they thought that I had contacted them because I was lonely and bored. Anyway things went from bad to worse, I decided to take my own life and my partner had to call the police to intervene. They were very good and understanding, but because I was actively suicidal decided to detain me and had to take me to police custody, as there were no mental health assessment facilities available. Eventually I was assessed by mental health professionals and admitted to an in-patient unit, where the care was excellent. The point of my story is however, that had the crisis team acted in crisis, the police would not have needed to be involved at all. I am sure it would have saved a lot of trouble and some money somewhere, and I would not have felt let down by those who are supposed to be there for us service users in times of crisis.