Mental health and policing: Communicating through crisis

Understanding the context, carrying out a correct diagnosis, undertaking effective communication, engaging in information sharing and collaboration between mental health practitioners and police officers is crucial when managing mental health crises. Primarily solutions need to focus on good prevention, diagnosis and health care, but there is also a lot to be said for collaboration. By working together, professionals in both fields can ensure better outcomes for individuals in distress, and for society at large. This short guide outlines practical steps that can be taken at individual and systemic levels to enhance collaboration between these specialist areas. 

Individual-level actions for Mental Health Practitioners 

• Active listening and empathy with patients: This can encourage individuals to share important information that might be crucial during a crisis. 

• Good data recording: Practitioners should record information; data received from patients. This should be as uniform across the field as possible to allow for effective comparison, sharing and subsequent establishment of insights. 

• Clear communication: Clearly explain the reasons for any necessary information sharing with law enforcement as soon as possible, reassuring patients that their privacy and dignity will be respected.  Often, data is not shared because the patient was not informed upfront – this can be avoided. 

• Familiarisation with police protocols: Understand police procedures related to mental health crises, such as those under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act, to prepare for potential police involvement. 

• Proactive collaboration: Engage proactively with police officers by sharing insights into the patient’s condition and suggesting de-escalation techniques to handle situations more sensitively. 

• Understand GDPR: Legislation does not prevent stakeholders from sharing data, and in some instances obliges them too. There is a need to increase awareness of what is / is not allowed, under what circumstances and in what format.  

• Share relevant information: Share only the most relevant information with police officers to ensure they are aware of the individual’s condition and potential risks. However, do not just share the data, as police officers are not specialized in mental health care, it is important to explain what the information shared means; explain the “so what”. 

• Document Information Sharing: Keep detailed records of shared information to maintain accountability and provide a clear rationale for future reference. 

• Offer informal training to police colleagues: Provide informal training or guidance on mental health conditions, symptoms, and appropriate responses to help officers feel more confident in understanding what different conditions may mean and how to handle crises. 

• Debrief after incidents: Participate in debriefing sessions to discuss what went well and identify areas for improvement, fostering better collaboration. 

Individual-level actions for Police Officers 

• Self-education on mental health: Participate in training about common mental health conditions, symptoms, and communication strategies to better recognise and respond to mental health issues. 

• Empathy and compassion: Approach individuals in crisis with empathy, understanding that their behaviour may result from their mental health condition rather than intentional defiance. 

• Apply de-escalation training: Use techniques like maintaining a calm tone and safe distance to manage situations without resorting to force. 

• Avoid criminalising behaviour: Focus on de-escalation and providing support, recognising that individuals in crisis need care, not punishment. 

• Seek guidance from experts: Actively seek guidance from mental health practitioners during crises to understand better the individual’s condition and response measures. 

• Collaborative decision-making: Involve mental health professionals in decision-making processes to ensure a holistic approach to care. 

Systemic-level actions for improving collaboration and information Sharing 

Develop clear information-sharing protocols 

• Joint protocols and MOUs: Establish formal agreements outlining the scope, purpose, and limitations of information sharing between mental health services and police forces. 

• Define roles and responsibilities: Clarify the roles of both mental health professionals and police officers to ensure accountability, including individual roles. 

Implement secure communication channels 

• Use secure digital platforms: Adopt secure, encrypted platforms (for example CESIUM for real-time information sharing, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. 

• Dedicated points of contact: Designate specific contact points to handle information sharing, streamlining communication. 

Promote joint training and education 

• Cross-disciplinary training: Conduct joint training sessions at a local authority level to enhance understanding of each other’s roles and responsibilities, covering mental health awareness, de-escalation, and legal frameworks. 

• Scenario-based training: Use scenarios to practice effective communication and coordination in controlled environments. 

Develop Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) 

• Joint response units: Create Crisis Intervention Teams comprising police officers and mental health professionals to respond jointly to crises supplementing the mental health training already in place for officers. 

• Expand street triage services: Expand street triage models where mental health professionals accompany police officers, facilitating on-the-spot assessment and information sharing. 

Enhance inter-agency collaboration and communication 

• Regular multi-agency meetings: Hold regular meetings to discuss cases, share information, and develop coordinated care plans for individuals with complex needs. 

• Create Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH): Use MASH models to provide a coordinated response to vulnerable individuals. 

Monitor and evaluate information-sharing practices 

• Regular audits and reviews: Conduct audits to ensure compliance with protocols and data protection laws, identifying areas for improvement. 

• Feedback mechanisms: Establish mechanisms for feedback to refine and improve practices and protocols. 

By taking these practical steps at both individual and systemic levels, mental health practitioners and police officers can enhance their collaboration, improve communication, and ensure effective information sharing. These efforts are essential for providing compassionate, appropriate, and coordinated support to individuals in mental health crises, ultimately leading to better outcomes and a more supportive response system. 

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