Are Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams Getting Busier and Managing Increased Complexity?

For several decades crisis assessment and treatment teams (CATTs) have been an integral part of community mental health treatment. Since their implementation, however, there has been a significant shift in demand and complexity for the general community requiring acute mental health response. This change coincides with a worldwide mental health workforce shortage and a need to utilise more novice clinicians. This study aimed to examine any change in workload and complexity for the population the CATTs support. A total of 100 files were audited over a 7-year period examining caseload and scenarios associated with complexity in health. After coding, a clinically inspired formula was developed utilising theoretical principles to produce a total complexity score and examine any changes. Findings reveal that caseloads have increased, along with the level of complexity according to the formula index and risk CATTs respond to. With the likely limitation of increased resources through additional mental health clinicians, organisations need to consider how to support emerging clinicians-and the senior clinicians who might support them-while balancing increased caseload and complexity. The use of specialist consultants and relevant training may ease this burden while supporting people experiencing a mental health crisis. The complexity index may also be a useful starting point for measuring CATT complexity.