Story Highlight
- Patients reluctant to call police during mental health crises.
- Involvement of police often leads to harm, injury or death.
- Police report inadequate training for handling mental health crises.
- Participants prefer trained professionals over police for crisis response.
- Negative experiences of police vary significantly among individuals involved.
Full Story
This week, three studies regarding police involvement in mental health crisis calls have been examined, revealing significant concerns from patients, service users, and police officers. The first study published in Progress in Community Health Partnerships highlights community members’ reluctance to contact police during mental health emergencies due to fear and mistrust. Led by Jennifer L. Hefner from Ohio State University, the study involved interviews with 30 participants in Columbus, Ohio, who had personal experiences with mental health emergency calls. Four major themes emerged from the research. One theme noted varied police demeanour, citing examples of compassionate and aggressive reactions from different officers. Participants expressed that interactions could cause vastly different outcomes, with one individual highlighting, “a different cop can make all the difference.”
Another theme identified a clear reluctance to involve police during mental health crises, with fears of being perceived as suspects hindering calls for help. Participants reported sentiments such as, “I will do everything I can to not have to call 911 ever.” A further theme indicated that increased training in behavioural health disorders and de-escalation tactics for police was necessary, with one parent remarking on their uncertainty regarding police training in crisis situations. Lastly, participants showed strong support for non-police responses to mental health crises, emphasising the need for trained professionals in such scenarios.
The second study, published in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, addressed the negative experiences patients and service users have reported when police are involved in mental health crisis calls. Led by Emilie Hudson from the University of Montréal, the narrative review included findings from 33 studies across various countries, highlighting issues such as coercion, trauma, and negative outcomes, including death. Encouragingly, it was noted that positive experiences arose during calm communication between officers and individuals in crisis, noting that some patients felt that police presence exacerbated their distress.
The third study, published in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, conducted by Tyson Alker from the University of the Sunshine Coast, found that individuals with mental health issues often perceived police interactions negatively, associating them with fear and mistrust. Police also reported receiving inadequate training to handle such calls effectively. This systematic review examined findings from 20 studies, predominantly from the UK and Australia, and reported that interactions usually stemmed from acute mental health concerns rather than criminal activities.
Key findings indicated a pattern of repeated police involvement in mental health crises, often resulting in adverse outcomes, such as arrest and the use of force. Both patients and police officers raised concerns over misunderstanding behaviours associated with crises, which can be mistakenly interpreted as aggression. The research called for improved training and guidance for police in mental health situations, as well as greater integration of mental health professionals in crisis response teams.
These studies collectively unveil a pressing need for systemic changes in how police and mental health services collaborate during crises to ensure better outcomes for individuals in need.
Source: read the original report.
What this means for your site
The findings in these studies underscore the importance of tailored responses for mental health crises that do not solely rely on police intervention. One significant shortfall is the lack of appropriate training for officers in handling such situations, which is where the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 becomes applicable. This legislation mandates that employers ensure the health and safety of everyone affected by their work, which includes the handling of mental health emergencies. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 further emphasizes risk assessment and a preventative approach that could extend to mental health crisis management.
To prevent negative outcomes, sites should consider establishing protocols that emphasize the participation of mental health professionals during crisis situations. This could involve creating partnerships with local mental health service providers, ensuring that trained professionals can respond to calls involving individuals in distress. Additionally, integrating scenario-based training for all staff who may be involved in emergency responses—covering communication techniques that prioritize empathy and de-escalation—can help to significantly improve interactions and outcomes for all parties concerned.
