Accompanying mental health problems at home: Preliminary data from a crisis resolution and home treatment team in Catalonia

Introduction: Crisis resolution and home treatment teams (CRHTTs) provide intensive home care to people in a mental health crisis, becoming an increasingly widespread alternative to hospital admissions. However, there are wide variations in service delivery, organization, and outcomes, and little literature on how these teams work in clinical practice and different settings.Aim: To share the organizational functioning, the therapeutic approach, and the outcomes obtained in a CRHTT in Catalonia, Spain.Method: A descriptive analysis of the functioning of a home treatment team, the characteristics of the people served, and the clinical results from November 2017 to December 2019 are presented.Results: One hundred and five people were served, with an average stay of 57 days. And 55.24% were women, and the mean age was 41. Most people could overcome the crisis at home, and 5.71% required hospital admission during home care. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the results of the GAF and HoNOS scales at admission and discharge.Discussion: Despite reduced staff, home care was an alternative to hospital admission for most people treated.Implications for Practice: Flexibility, teamwork, and collaboration with the social network are relevant factors when accompanying the recovery process at home.