This book provides a comprehensive overview of current understanding about the provision of emergency mental health services in an era of community orientated care. It describes major research findings and theoretical models that will shape future services and illustrates successful services from both Europe and North America. A multidisciplinary team of contributors details the full range of community based services, including acute respite care, home based care, day hospitals, and family placement schemes, as well as the use of accident and emergency departments and acute in-patient wards. They explore the major factors that influence service development, including the costs of acute care, the legal framework for emergency mental health work, and the views of service users.