Respond multi-agency mental health simulation training

Respond is a unique multi-agency simulation training package for professionals involved in mental health crisis care.

By increasing collaboration and knowledge, it equips staff to respond quickly and appropriately to improve patient experience.

We are proud to present Respond training alongside our partners Northumbria Police, North East and North Cumbria Urgent and Emergency Care Network, Fulfilling Lives Newcastle Gateshead, North East Ambulance Service, Newcastle City Council and Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust.

Respond training is fully CPD-accredited and can count towards revalidation for NHS professionals.

Respond is a totally immersive experience. It encouraged me and my professional colleagues to leave the comfort zone of role and remit and face more honestly the considerations of a critical incident which involves mental health crisis. As a learning tool this cannot be underestimated

AnthonyPolice Officer

Why choose Respond training?

Respond training allows professionals such as police, mental health nurses, psychiatrists and AMHPs (Approved Mental Health Professionals) to learn alongside colleagues from other agencies as well as ‘Experts by Experience’ – people with lived experience of mental health crisis.

During the training all participants explore real-life scenarios together, discussing possible responses in a crisis and taking decisions, all in a safe environment where mistakes and challenges can be made with no fear of long term consequences.

Respond is a great learning experience, and it will make a real difference if it is rolled out to all emergency services. As an expert by experience, my voice was listened to and valued, working as an equal throughout the process.

Terry NelsonExpert by Experience, Fulfilling Lives

How does Respond work?

Working alongside professionals from other agencies, participants are presented with a series of real-life situations using audio and video feeds, with constant support from trained facilitators. Participants then decide together how to proceed, with regular debrief sessions and opportunities for reflection.

Respond-trained professionals gain a clear understanding of each agency’s role, so that everyone involved in the crisis pathway can respond quickly and effectively, without the tensions and time delays that can arise from uncertainty.

An excellent opportunity to reflect on the vital role that other professionals play

Crisis Nurse

Over 1100 professionals have now completed Respond training, which is available to all professionals working in mental health crisis care in the North East of England.

Professionals from other parts of the country can also attend the training here in the North East, and a package is also in development for the training to be rolled out in other areas of the UK.

If you are interested in attending Respond training please contact us at [email protected]

What service users say

In 2017 Respond training was evaluated by a group of ‘Experts by Experience’ – people with lived experience of a mental health crisis. The evaluation found that “the roles, responsibilities and demands on professionals in dealing with people in crisis were the most valuable things that respondents took away” and the majority of Experts by Experience reported that they had much better understanding of the roles of professionals after the training.

What professionals say

Respond training has also been independently evaluated by the Academic Health Sciences Network, who commented that ‘for the majority of the participants involved in the evaluation, the training has been highly successful in improving the understanding of and collaboration and communication between different professions and agencies working together to care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. It has led to changes in behaviour, approach and work practice for all those involved in the post impact interviews.’

Find out more

Click below to download a brochure with more information on the Respond training and the benefits to services of taking part.

If you have any questions about Respond, please contact Claire Andre, Clinical Police Liaison Lead, or Amy Rafter, Project Coordinator. Email [email protected].

Respond was developed through the Northern England Strategic Clinical Network (SCN), and is supported by organisations including Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW); Northumbria Police; North East Urgent and Emergency Care Network; Fulfilling Lives Newcastle Gateshead; Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust; North East Ambulance Service; and Newcastle City Council.