Mental Health Crisis Café Research Summary
Peepul Neighbourhood Mental Health Café, formerly Peepul Crisis Café, recently partnered with Sophie Mencacci and Simran Surdhar from University College London in their study evaluating the accessibility of crisis cafés for people who have experienced a mental health crisis.
The study sought to understand why people choose crisis cafés instead of other places for immediate support, and the benefits of using crisis cafés to enhance the accessibility of mental health support.
This research aims to help us understand what makes a crisis café successful, what needs to be improved, and how to make crisis cafés accessible.
Crisis cafés, also known as recovery cafés, safe havens, and crisis sanctuaries, are community services that provide a safe and welcoming place at the heart of the local community.
Peepul’s Neighbourhood Mental Health Café offers a relaxed and friendly environment for anyone in need, particularly with mental health concerns, by offering guidance and support to help reduce the risk of a crisis. In addition, we can refer and direct you to further services as required. Our Mental Health Café is open Wednesdays between 2pm to 7pm. People can drop in without a referral and speak freely and confidentially to trained recovery workers, peer volunteers, and people with a ‘lived experience of mental health needs’. This service is available for anybody aged 18 years old+ who feels they need help.
Peepul’s Neighbourhood Mental Health Café is here to listen and help you.
The study evaluations includes:
- Finding Mental Health Support at Crisis Cafés: What Do People Think?
See full results below in Infographic 1.
The results show that crisis cafés are most helpful for distressed individuals who do not require specialised support. As everyone has different ideas of what support crisis cafés should give, more crisis cafés are needed in areas that lack them so people can more easily get the help they need when they need it. Crisis cafés should be open for longer and accessible by multiple means of transport. People should also spread the word about what crisis cafés are so more people know they are an option.
- Exploring People’s Experiences using Crisis Cafés in the United Kingdom: Are They Helpful?
See full results in Infographic 2.
Positive user experiences at crisis cafés include accessibility, staffing, café environment, activities, and opening hours. Crisis cafés would benefit from making sure there is enough staff, and that they are compassionate yet professional. Crisis cafés should also feel non-clinical and colourful, and should offer refreshments and activities (e.g., gardening, art therapy) for people who attend. Ideally, crisis cafés would be open 24/7.
We are really excited to have partnered with UCL on this study. It is great for people to have the opportunity to attend our Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés every Wednesday, and to see that we already offer many of the activities the study found important in crisis cafés. This is a hugely valuable initiative for the service user from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
Infographic 1: Finding Mental Health Support at Crisis Cafés: What Do People Think?
Infographic 2: Exploring People’s Experiences using Crisis Cafés in the United Kingdom: Are They Helpful?
News From Our World Mental Health Day: 7th October 2023
The Mental Health Symposium speakers: Mr Ranjit Thaliwal, Dr Nij Singh, Dr Santosh Bhanot, Dr Ananta Dave
Over 70 Community members attended our symposium marking World Mental Health Day.
Leading psychiatrist Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer spoke about health inequalities in minoritised communities and how awareness and culturally sensitive interventions were important. Dr Nij Singh provided hints and tips on how to maintain good mental health. Representing those who are detained on section, Ranjit Thaliwal, Thaliwal and Veja Solicitors, spoke about clients he had successfully worked with. Dr Santosh Bhanot, Head of Peepul Health, concluded with the Mental health support work we offer at the Peepul Mental Health Café a free, confidential service where you can get advice about your mental health concerns.
Peepul Mental Health Café: Open Wednesday 2-7pm
 Dr Santosh Bhanot introducing CareIf Report |
 Mental Health stands |
Dr Nij Singh on health & mental wellbeing |
 Aisha Jagot, NHS MH Neighbourhood Lead |
 Sharan Kaur hosting the Symposium |
 Audience members |
 Dr Santosh Bhanot introducing Dr Nij Singh |
 Audience Participation |
 Ranjit Thaliwal on representing those detained |
 Dr Ananta Dave on inequalities in mental health |
Peepul Health & Wellbeing Mela Event on 14th May 2023 was a big success as in the above video.
In partnership with the NHS, the Peepul Centre are offering a mental wellbeing service through the Peepul Neighbourhood Mental Health Café.
The Peepul Neighbourhood Mental Health Café provides a safe and welcoming place for anyone that is struggling with their mental health by offering immediate support and guidance.
We are a safe, calm space and a listening ear, offering confidential non-judgmental support with cultural sensitivity and understanding. We can provide help with your situation and share strategies and techniques to cope and help manage your mental wellbeing.
In addition, we can refer and direct you to further services that are available locally that may help you with the causes of your anxiety.
Our Peepul Neighbourhood Mental Health Café team is a trained team and here for you. We care and want to support you.
We are open on Wednesdays between 2-7pm. If we are closed and you need immediate crisis support, please refer to the following guidance:
You can find more advice: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/mental-health/helpful-documents.
