When people with severe mental illnesses become acutely unwell crisis teams should step in to help but File on 4 hears claims the system is failing – with tragic consequences.

File on 4 investigates whether mental health support is always available when people need it most.

And reporter Paul Connolly hears concerns that mental health professionals are not always quick enough to act on evidence a person suffering severe mental illness may be intending to harm others – with tragic consequences.