CATT team

LilyR · ‎12-02-2026

Has anyone had any experience with CATT (Crisis Assessment and Treatment Teams)? I live in Tasmania and I’ve been in contact with them for a while after my psychologist contacted them. I’ve never spoken to people who are so blunt and horrible before. I’ve never experienced anything like it. The call ends and I feel worse than when they rang me. Is this something that happens a lot? I just don’t understand. To be at a point where you need the CATT team is a big thing so people need someone who is caring and compassionate - or at the very least doesn’t make you feel bad because you’re trying your best to describe and articulate something. Talking about particular things relating to mental health is challenging for most people so I don’t understand how someone can rush you and think that it’s no big deal. She was getting annoyed at me because I was taking ‘too long’ to describe my mood and how I was feeling. I just don’t understand how this particular person got the position to talk to people who are struggling. It’s really concerning to me.

Croix · ‎12-02-2026

Dear LilyR~

Welcome back to the Forum. To the best of my knowledge the CATT teams in Tasmania are hospital based and their job is to assess a person who may not be able to look after themselves (often in their homes), and give very short term treatment if necessary then refering them on to less temporary mental health facilities, which may include a short stay in a hospital psych ward or as an outpatient in a hospital or another metal health practitioner or service.

You are quite right that is an area for gentle understanding, not impatience. You may simply been unlucky in the staff you had, however that is no help. May I suggest you return to your psychologist and say that the Team is making matters worse, not better, and that if you do need more intensive treatment to refer you to another facility or psychiatrist (I know they are in short supply).

Do you think you would be able to do this?

Croix

LilyR · ‎13-02-2026

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.
They weren’t helpful in that they didn’t offer to refer me on to less temporary mental health facilities (short stay in a hospital psych ward or as an outpatient in a hospital or another metal health practitioner or service). They didn’t ask me any questions relating to safety, suicidal thoughts etc. This is the reason for my confusion. They didn’t offer me any services or discuss anything relating to this with me.

Croix · ‎13-02-2026

Dear LilyR~

I'm afraid some parts of the health system are better than others, and you have been let down, not a good feeling. As with most things if it does not fit then try something else. If your psychologist is not happy treating you get them to refer you to another.

I am concerned you mentioned suicidal thoughts, you are quite anonymous here, would you like to talk about the circumstances that made you think in terms of ending your life? Wile I could just give you a general speech I'd much rather talk with you about your circumstances and give you the best assistance I can.

Just to let you know I have been suicidal in the past and actually acted out those thoughts, however still I'm here talking to you now and lead a life I would not want to give up.

Croix

LilyR · ‎22-02-2026

Thank you. I’ve been feeling this way for a while now. It’s related to me being too scared to do something that I really want to do as a result of past trauma. It’s due to a particular person. And I can’t live with the fact that I cant do it. The fear is overwhelming. And it’s hard to accept because it’s due to someone else. It’s extreme fear - I don’t know how to describe it. It’s a fear of relationships. And even finding the right person (caring, compassionate, not pressuring me etc, all the green flags) wasn’t enough. The fear is greater.

Croix · ‎22-02-2026

Dear LilyR~

As far as I can see your reaction is to be expected, I too have fears, however they about another matter.

While I remember you might find value in or the Blue Knot Foundation who assist those with complex trauma now or in the past,

If you have been treated very badly by a particular person you end up injured, mentally at least. As a result your reactions are badly affected by that injury. Having no trust or hope things can improve is not surprising. This leads on two ways, you want to step back and not enter a relationship, and you are frustrated that you are frighted and not able to do so. You wonder if you ever will be able to.

So you can be caught between hopelessness in a horrible life and wanting it all to just go away, self blame and a resultant desire to take one's life. I don't recommend that action, I tried, and it simply made me feel disappointed and more guilty.

To get over trauma, at least to the extent I could cope and learn to trust, both in others and myself took three different influences, at least for me. I had to want things to get better, which I certainly did and so cooperated with my psychiatrist, who fortunately was very flexible. So therapy and medication was one part. You could say I went to him due to desperation.

The second was understanding support by my family, who made allowances and tried to help, even if misguided at times.

The third was patient understanding and love from a person who became a large part of my life - over time. Yes they were 'caring, compassionate, not pressuring me etc, all the green flags'.

I found the desire to take my life was stronger at times, frankly a dangerous state to be in. So I ended up with a Safety Plan I could use when those times came. The one I used was a free smartphone app balled Beyond Now. It has all the usual things you might expect, emergency numbers, contact details of friends who knew my problem, and friends who did not but were good to be with. Reasons for living (it took me 6 months to fill that section in:(

The most effective section was 'Things I could do myself', which had to be prepared in advance. Very hard to fill in, and the help of a person who knows you well and remembers what you enjoyed, amused or distracted you. I'm a reader and have chapters ready in books I enjoyed, I have specific songs or music (not general as my mind will not make decisions), Favorite comedians in YouTube, walking to a cafe and umpteen more.

The things suitable for you will be different I'm sure, but the principal is the same and works:)

If all else fails use Lifeline 13 11 14, it may seem frightening and pretty hopeless but I've found it has helped more often than not.

This has been a long post, if you feel like it read it in sections at different times. I'm sorry it is so long, however I feel here was a lot you might not know.

You are always welcome to say what you think here

Croix