Psychiatric emergency outreach: a report on the first 2 years of functioning in Copenhagen.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate psychiatric emergency outreach after functioning for a period of 2 years in Copenhagen, Denmark. Psychiatric emergency outreach was staffed by a psychiatrist and an ambulance driver, and the target group was defined as mentally ill and persons in severe crisis. For each of 935 calls covering 777 different patients, a registration form with social and clinically relevant data was filled out. After the 2-year period, patients were looked up in the National Cause of Death Register and the National Psychiatric Case Register. A total of 66% were previously registered as psychiatric patients, and in 37% of all calls, the patient had psychotic symptoms. In 25% of the calls, the patient was admitted to psychiatric hospital; 38% of the admissions were involuntary. Forty-eight per cent of the calls were initiated by relatives, friends or neighbours. Suicidal behaviour was frequent. There were significantly more calls in socially deprived areas. Standard Mortality Rates were high for all causes of death (5.00), and especially for suicide (31.98). In conclusion, psychiatric emergency outreach seems to fulfil some of its purpose.