‘A community in crisis’: staff qualitative experiences of NHS and third sector mental healthcare in England

NHS services are struggling to meet the mental health needs of the population, resulting in lengthy waiting times for therapy, a lack of intervention-focused care and an over-reliance on the third sector. While crisis cafés are provided at low cost and result in satisfaction, policy-makers must ensure that these receive adequate funding and do not become overburdened. Staff reported that collaboration between clinical and non-clinical services would improve care pathways and reduce strain on the NHS, but judgemental attitudes and inflexible service development must be challenged to achieve this.