Breathing Space

You can make a request for mental health breathing space if you're in a mental health crisis. You can also use this service to refer another person for mental health breathing space.

What you'll need

To request this service, you'll need to provide your:

• details, including name, address, date of birth, ethnicity, and religion
• ID number on the mental health records system, also known as an RIO number (if known)
• ID number on the social care records system, also known as a MOSAIC number (if known)
• NHS number (if known)
• details of the current crisis and information relating to debts.

If you're requesting this service for someone else, you'll need to provide:

• the details of the person being referred, including name, address, date of birth and ethnicity
• their ID number on the mental health records system, also known as an RIO number (if known)
• their ID number on the social care records system, also known as a MOSAIC number (if known)
• their NHS number (if known)
• your details, including your role, address, contact number and email address
• the details of the person’s allocated care coordinator or nominated point of contact
• details of the current crisis and information relating to debts.

You'll also need to provide a copy of a signed consent form or evidence of either a capacity assessment or Lasting Power of Attorney, court of protection appointed deputy or appointee paperwork.

Request support

You'll need to give consent for your details to be shared with the relevant agencies, including the approved mental health professional team, debt adviser, and the breathing space scheme administrator.

We can ask the debt adviser to not share your address with your creditors if you want to go ahead but are worried. You will need to tell us this.

Request mental health breathing space

You can also download the form in paper format and send it to us by post.

Download the breathing space paper referral form

Download the breathing space paper consent form 

Post to: Medway AMHP Team, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR.

After you have applied

The approved mental health professional will need to ensure you meet the mental health crisis criteria before they can complete the evidence form. They may need to contact you if they have any further questions or queries about your application.

The debt adviser will carry out checks to ensure you meet the eligibility for a mental health crisis breathing space and they will contact your nominated point of contact to inform them of the decision. 

The debt adviser will contact you later to offer advice to help you manage your debts.