Summary
The Compassionate Distress Response Service is a non-clinical referral option for those experiencing acute emotional distress. It allows them to talk through their issues and develop a plan with a trained Distress Response Worker.
Making A Difference
99% of those who engage with CDRS find it resolves their immediate distress. For a sense of the difference the CDRS can make to an individual in crisis, read the quotes from Service Users included below. Read more on how the effect of this project can be tracked through data in the Performance Report.
The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Multiagency Distress Collaborative was a three-year programme funded through the Scottish Government Mental Health Innovation funding, running between April ’16 and March ’19. The Collaborative focused on ways public bodies can respond to those experiencing distress, which they defined in their outcomes report as an “emotional state” which is expressed “when a person’s internal capacities and external supports cannot contain something”. Among the recommendations in their report was a request to implement an alternative and non-clinical response to those in distress.
The Compassionate Distress Response Service is the project born from that recommendation. Trained Distress Response Workers offer a listening ear to those experiencing acute emotional distress who are referred into the service, supporting them to develop a plan of action to help alleviate their distress. They validate people’s experiences, whilst making sure to ascertain further risk and undertake suicide safety planning where needed.
“You’re amazing and have helped me so much. You’re the first person I could speak to and you’ve shown me I can speak to a counsellor now whereas I was too scared before. You helped me open up. Thank you.”
– CDRS Service User
A plan of support is developed with each individual, focusing on their most relevant needs and any necessary follow-up action. This can include further telephone calls, referral on to other services, or provision of information. This support will remain in place for up to a month following the initial discussion.
“You help me, you take in what I’m saying and listen like no one else does. You’re amazing and you have made me feel stronger just by talking about things and sorting through them all. You need to go and help other people now as you have helped me.”
– CDRS Service User
Contracted by Glasgow City HSCP, the service provides support to people aged 16+ between the hours of 9am and 2am Monday to Friday, and 5pm to 2am Saturday and Sunday. People can be referred into the service through a number of channels, such as by GP Practices, first responders, or other services within the HSCP. For more information, including a complete list of referral pathways and contact information, visit the CDRS webpage here.
