A home treatment service has supported hundreds of young people and families facing mental health crises.
The Crisis Outreach Acute Support Team (COAST), developed by Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and the Southern Counties Provider Collaborative, has helped more than 250 young people and their families avoid unnecessary hospital stays by delivering intensive mental health care in their own homes.
Since June 2025, the service has provided at-home treatment to 40 young people and handled 220 crisis referrals.
Dulcie, an Expert by Experience (EbE) involved in developing COAST, said: “It is so much easier to transition back into normal life if you can be treated at home.
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“You can still receive intensive support but be able to sleep in your own bed, eat with your parents and not be around others who are also ill.”
Amy, a mother whose child recently completed treatment, said: “COAST has been life changing and I don’t say that lightly. My son is a completely different person.
“He was barely able to leave the house earlier this year. He has made such huge progress since being part of this service.”
COAST was launched in April 2025 and offers specialist care in homes, clinics and through telephone support.