Here is an interesting new approach tried by some police services in US.
Persons with mental illness have been killed or seriously injured during attempts to manage their crises. A growing number of very recent reports (like the following) confirm that COLLABORATION between law enforcement and mental health systems is crucial, and the very different areas of expertise of each should be recognised and should not be confused.
One thing is evident from this story: Neither the mental health system nor the police can effectively manage mental health crises in the community effectively without help from the other.
Police officers must be aware that their primary role is to provide security that reduces the threat of harm, even though they may have specialized mental health training.
Likewise, mental health professionals’ primary role in dealing with psychiatric emergencies is assessment, crisis resolution, and appropriate disposition.
Lastly, resources should be made available to have specialised mobile, health crisis-mobile crisis teams of mental health professionals and police officers.
#mentalhealth #community #police #lawenforcement #collaboration #OPS