Rivers Crisis House - North London NHS Foundation Trust

You can reach us directly at 020 3317 6860 for support or to make a referral.

We offer a local, community-driven approach to supporting individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis, providing a distinct alternative to traditional inpatient hospital care. Our focus is on creating a supportive environment that helps people navigate challenging times without needing a hospital admission.

We're here to help with a wide range of mental health conditions. This includes, but isn't limited to, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and various forms of trauma. We also support individuals dealing with psychosis, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, personality disorders, and bipolar disorders. Furthermore, we assist those experiencing acute stress reactions, and even individuals who may not have a formal diagnosis but are clearly in the midst of a first mental health crisis. Our aim is to provide timely and effective support no matter the specific presentation of distress.

Our service delivers both practical and emotional mental health assistance, designed for urgent care needs. Stays at our facility are typically short-term, with a maximum duration of two weeks, ensuring that support is focused and immediate. During your time with us, our dedicated team will conduct a thorough mental health assessment to understand your needs comprehensively. We also offer medication reviews to ensure your treatment plan is optimised, provide informal counselling-style support, and encourage participation in a variety of group activities that foster connection and recovery. A key part of our role is to help you prepare for returning home and to facilitate connections with a diverse network of community organisations for ongoing support, should that be beneficial for you.

To access our service, all referrals are managed exclusively over the telephone. We warmly welcome both self-referrals from individuals seeking help directly, as well as referrals from other healthcare professionals. This includes general practitioners (GPs), community mental health teams, and crisis intervention teams, among others.

This service is specifically designed for residents of Camden or Islington who are currently experiencing an acute mental health crisis. It's important that individuals accessing our support have the capacity to consent to their admission and are willing to agree to the terms outlined in our service contract. We believe this collaborative approach is vital for a successful and supportive recovery journey.