People are sharing the advice they've been given during a mental health crisis - and it's shockingly inadequate

It's no secret that the mental health services in the UK are over stretched, under funded and that they're sadly not providing the crucial support that people need.

In March 2018, a damning report on NHS mental health provision by ombudsman Rob Behrens found that mental health patients are suffering 'serious harm', and in some cases dying, because of 'serious failings' in their treatment.

The understaffing of mental health provision is cited as a key reason, with the number of mental health nurses falling 13 per cent between 2009 and 2017, and the report also found that England's 53 mental health trusts are short of approximately 10 per cent of their staff.

In an environment such as this, it's unsurprising that the advice people are receiving when they're in the midst of a mental health crisis is sub par to say the least.

And, it's equally unsurprising that when author and journalist Emily Reynolds shared her experiences of asking for help during a mental health crisis, hundreds of people reached out to share theirs, too.

In a string of tweets, she shared her experiences.

Many other people expressed they felt exactly the same.

An artist was offered art therapy.

Others said they too had been offered the crisis number.

Others shared their experiences of A&E.

Some advice was down right bizarre.

And some shocking.

One person expressed how comprehensively damning the thread is, and how it highlights how urgently things need to improve.

Others posted existing helplines and services.

More: Heavy metal can be good for your mental health

More: 13 things you should never say to people who suffer with mental illness