Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Blue remembered skills: mental health awareness training for police officers
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Ian, JONES Stuart
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 12(3), August 2010, pp.14-19.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Police officers can have a key role to play in situations where individuals are experiencing some sort of crisis relating to their mental health. Despite the fact that this is a very important facet of day to day police work, it is an area that is neglected in police training. The Bradley Report has raised a number of important questions regarding the treatment of individuals who are experiencing mental health problems and find themselves in the criminal justice system. One of the key recommendations is that professional staff working across criminal justice organisations should receive increased training in this area. This paper outlines two approaches to the training of police officers in the mental health field. The first is a joint working initiative between Hywel NHS Trust and Dyfed Powys Police. In this training, all student officers receive 2 days training in first aid in mental health, and spend 4 days at the acute psychiatric unit where they become personally involved in the care of individuals who are experiencing acute distress. The second approach comprised a classroom-based training course directed at custody sergeants. The article goes on to consider the most effective models of training for police officers.
Delivering mental health awareness training to police officers
- Authors:
- FORNI Carlos, CASWELL Nick, SPICER Jerina
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 17.3.09, 2009, pp.12-13.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Police officers regularly come into contact with people with mental health problems but receive relatively little training on the issue. The article outlines an initiative to deliver awareness training to officers and explores the benefits of such programmes. It also gives details of the evaluation carried out. The training was carried out by the Ladywell mental health unit, part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Police, release me
- Author:
- LEASON Katie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 3.03.05, 2005, pp.30-32.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Police officers are often poorly equipped to deal with situations where mental illness is a factor. Reports on the need for greater awareness training.
Joining forces
- Author:
- CASSIDY Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 12.1.94, 1994, pp.16-17.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Reports on an initiative in the West Midlands which aimed to increase police officers' awareness of the needs of people with mental health problems.
Policing and mental health: eleventh report of session 2014–15: report, together with formal minutes
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Parliament. House of Commons. Home Affairs Committee
- Publisher:
- TSO
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 42
- Place of publication:
- London
Examines the prevalence of people with mental health illnesses in the criminal justice system, focusing on what happens when people who experience mental illness come into contact with the police. The report looks at issues around detention under the Mental Health Act, including detention of children, police and health service collaboration, and training. It raises concerns about the extent to which frontline officers are increasingly spending their time helping people with mental health problems and about the use of police cells as a place of safety. The report main findings and recommendations include: police cells should no longer be stated as a place of safety for those detained under section 136; too many NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are failing in their duty to provide enough health-based places of safety that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are adequately staffed; the police need to make sure they use their powers in relation to mental health correctly, to reduce the numbers detained and so reduce pressure on both the police and the NHS; the NHS needs to make places available to look after children experiencing a mental health crisis locally; people encountering a mental health crisis should be transported to hospital in an ambulance if an emergency services vehicle is needed; the Government should give a clear commitment that funding will be made available for schemes which have been proven to be cost-effective. (Edited publisher abstract)
Research in the real world: studying Chicago police department’s crisis intervention team program
- Author:
- WATSON Amy C.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 20(5), September 2010, pp.536-543.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Approximately 10% of all police contacts with the public involve persons with mental illness. Estimates of the prevalence of mental illness in U.S. jails and prisons range from 6% to 16%, suggesting that the police are arresting sizable numbers. Arguably the most widely adopted law enforcement approach to address this issue, the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model, is a specialised police-based programme designed to improve officers’ ability to safely and effectively respond to mental health crises. The CIT model involves specialised training for officers, collaboration with community providers, a central psychiatric crisis drop off centre, and shifts in organisational policies and procedures. This article discusses the emergence of the CIT model, reviews the emerging literature, and presents a conceptual model of CIT effectiveness. It then describes a study which systematically examined the CIT programme in Chicago. The study involved examining CIT outcomes in four districts by means of: in person interviews with 216 officers; phone follow-up interviews at 1, 3 and 6 months; qualitative interviews with 20 officers; an examination of dispatch records and CIT call forms. The findings from Chicago suggest that CIT is increasing linkage to services and reducing the use of force in encounters with persons with mental illness. Lessons learned are discussed.
A force for change
- Author:
- STONE Andrew
- Journal article citation:
- Young Minds Magazine, 107, August 2010, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- YoungMinds
The author suggests that the police force is not noted for its understanding approach to those with mental health problems, but looks at efforts being made to change this. The 2009 Bradley report identified the service as a weak link in the chain of early intervention which can be vital in diverting young people with mental health problems away from the criminal justice system in order to protect them and also to prevent re-offending. Aware of this underperformance, the Association of Chief Police Officers has issued new guidance to all UK forces in a bid to improve the way the police interact with and serve those with mental health problems. A comprehensive, scenario-based training programme is being rolled out nationwide. The article draws on an interview with Police Officer Richard Harwin, who was recently awarded a commendation from City and Hackney Mind for his liaison work.
Incorporating crisis intervention team (CIT) knowledge and skills into the daily work of police officers: a focus group study
- Authors:
- HANAFI Sonya, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 44(6), December 2008, pp.427-432.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This qualitative focus group study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for police officers in the US. Thematic analysis of transcripts of focus group discussions revealed that officers report increased knowledge of mental illnesses (which manifests as an improved ability to recognize and respond, reduced stereotyping/stigmatization, greater empathy toward consumers and their caregivers, more patience when dealing with consumers, and fewer arrests/more redirection toward treatment), as well as practical application of learned skills (evidenced by an ability to put individuals with mental illnesses at ease, reduced unpredictability of the crisis situation, and reduced risk of injury). Results highlight the potential for collaboration between law enforcement (and other public safety/criminal justice professions) and the mental health professions in the expanding CIT collaborative model.
Police help me
- Author:
- VALIOS Natalie
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 18.9.08, 2008, pp.34-35.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Voluntary groups are working with Sussex police recruits to challenge their attitudes to incidents involving vulnerable adults.
Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing report
- Author:
- INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND POLICING
- Publisher:
- Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 80
- Place of publication:
- London
Reports on the findings of the Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing, which was set up in September 2012 to review the work of the Metropolitan Police Service with regard to people who have died or been seriously injured following police contact or in police custody. It focuses on their responsibilities in dealing with issues of mental health: In custody; at street encounter; and in response to calls made to police, including call handling processes when dealing with members of the public where there is an indication of mental health. The Commission examined 55 Metropolitan Police Service cases covering a five-year period (2007 - 2012) and interviewed the families of those involved; people with mental health problems; their families, police officers and NHS and social services staff. The report identified failings of the Metropolitan Police in a number of areas, including: a lack of mental health awareness amongst staff and officers; lack of training and policy guidance in suicide prevention; failure of procedures to provide adequate care to vulnerable people in custody; problems of interagency working; disproportionate use of force and restraint; and discriminatory attitudes and behaviour. The Commission makes 28 recommendations for change in the areas of: leadership, frontline policing, and inter-agency working. (Edited publisher abstract)