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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Did you know that the Police are taking the overflow of mental health patients?

69 replies

Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:15

No, you're not put into a police cell and given valium but.......

If you're suicidal and an ambulance can't get to you for hours, the police are sent around to sit with you until an ambulance gets to you.

They can also accompany you to A&E if you're willing to go.

They have told me that they receive absolutely no training on dealing with Mental Health patients - yet, there they are - my knights in shining armour.

I've had the unfortunate privilege of dealing with a few over the past 2 weeks. They have been absolutely lovely to me. Chatted, listened to music I forced on them etc. Desperately tried to get the services I'm engaged with to act. Constantly ringing the services for updates, checking in with their sergeants etc.

For a 'force' that has no training, they do an awesome job. I just wanted to get that out there. I'm very grateful to them for the support they have given me over the past couple of weeks.

However!!

They should not be forced to sit with a suicidal patient for hours. There should be a dedicated mental health emergency call-out service.

I don't think that most people know how shambolic Mental Health services actually are for people in crisis and I suspect nobody knew that the police are really the first point of support?

OP posts:
Thehop · 06/01/2021 13:17

My husband left the police force 3 years ago and had to do this often in his 14 years of service. It’s always been the case. They also step in at 5pm when social workers go home if a child needs removing from danger.

Happytentoes · 06/01/2021 13:19

The police generally draw that straw on most of society’s ills OP.

Sorry to hear that you have needed help.💐I hope you are getting help now.
A few years ago a close family member had MH issues and it really opened my eyes to how awful such services are. Mainstream medicine really don’t want the job of caring and MH services are totally under-resourced.

Clutterbugsmum · 06/01/2021 13:24

Yes, that's what happens when the government cuts all services to the bone.

One of the 24 hours in police custody programmes showed how the police were literary begging for the Mental Health services to take custody of a man with very bad mental health issues and the police did not want him prison. But I think that he had to go to prison to get access to mental health services.

Catsick36 · 06/01/2021 13:25

It's always been that way.

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:26

I was supposed to be admitted, but no beds, so sent home under the Home Treatment Team. So I'm stuck with just myself having a nervous breakdown. My GP won't prescribe as I'm under a psychiatrist - who I see maybe once a year. Covid has driven me over the edge when I was really very normal and well. They (police) told me last night that hospitals are not really taking walk-ins. Ambulance or the police have to bring you in. Unless you're literally dying I suppose!

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 06/01/2021 13:27

This has been going on for some time.

We get given the power of sectioning someone (under certain circumstances) but absolutely no training on how to deal with someone in the midst of a mental health crisis.

I've sat outside a mental health ward in a car for 6 hours with someone who had had a complete mental breakdown.

It's nothing new, but it is very broken.

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:27

They also told me last night that while 'normal' crime has reduced, domestics have risen so that's what they spend most of their time attending to these days - that and me! Grin

OP posts:
Bookworming · 06/01/2021 13:28

The police were wonderful with my suicidal and extremely unwell brother, ultimately then had to section her. However, they did it whilst respecting her dignity.

Bookworming · 06/01/2021 13:28

*sister

AnnaSW1 · 06/01/2021 13:29

This has always been the case. Not new at all.

DianaT1969 · 06/01/2021 13:29

On the plus side, not being admitted to hospital cuts any chance of you catching Covid there. When are you eligible for the vaccine OP? Will that help you feel more positive?

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:30

For people with no training whatsoever, they actually seem to be naturally talented at talking me down from a ledge half the time!

OP posts:
copernicium · 06/01/2021 13:30

This has been going on for a long time. I needed to be admitted about five years ago; a policeman literally sat at the end of my bed from 10pm-6am before services could get to me.

I was treated better by the police service than the mental health service (that I worked for at the time).

CharlotteRose90 · 06/01/2021 13:31

I have 3 close friends in the police and they’ve all done this. There isn’t enough resources in the uk for mental health currently so if an officer can help someone In need so be it. The other option is people wild have to sit for hours alone waiting for help. I know what I’d prefer.

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:32

@DianaT1969

On the plus side, not being admitted to hospital cuts any chance of you catching Covid there. When are you eligible for the vaccine OP? Will that help you feel more positive?
I'm way down the list - I have 2 of the conditions listed that bumps me up a bit - but I checked the vaccine estimator thing and it said between June and September. I'm not on the shielding list.

It's not covid that bothers me exactly, it's that all the services I used to attend are now closed and have been since March.

OP posts:
C0NNIE · 06/01/2021 13:34

Through my work I have often see the police deal with severely mentally unwell people and I’m always struck by how good they are at it. I know it’s not a popular view on MN but I think our local police force are great .

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 13:35

@copernicium

This has been going on for a long time. I needed to be admitted about five years ago; a policeman literally sat at the end of my bed from 10pm-6am before services could get to me.

I was treated better by the police service than the mental health service (that I worked for at the time).

Me too! They can be really lovely and chatty.

Half the time with mental health professionals I sort of feel like they view me as a dog who needs to be neutered! They can be that cold.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 06/01/2021 13:59

Another one here to say that the police have treated me better than MH services most of the time too. Some have even followed up on me after I get home... another time they took me out for a Costa and chat a few days later. They do care, and get frustrated at picking up people in crisis only for that person to get no help and end up being in contact with emergency services again.

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 14:07

Xenobitch that sounds lovely and doesn't surprise me at all.

There should be a specific mental health emergency team.

I love the police, but I always feel guilty taking up their time. It's not really ideal is it?

OP posts:
Orf1abc · 06/01/2021 14:11

They used to take the overflow, but now I'd say it's the other way, MH services have such limited resources, the police have to deal with the majority of crisis care. One of my neighbours was placed in her apartment by MH services after a long term section, but has barely any aftercare. When she exhibits certain behaviours it's the police we contact to keep her safe.

2bazookas · 06/01/2021 14:11

I know for certain that police in Scotland receive an excellent training (by video) in the basics of how best to respond to people having an acute MH crisis.

It's a pity the general public doesn't get the same awareness training then MN posters might respond more appropriately. to mentally ill people ( IRL, and here).

Orf1abc · 06/01/2021 14:13

There should be a specific mental health emergency team.

There is. Every area has a mental health crisis team that should be available 24 hours a day. But getting any help from them is practically impossible.

HalfSizeMe · 06/01/2021 14:14

I joined the ambulance service in 2015, and it's been the case since I started.

Original poster
Hatstrategicallydipped · 06/01/2021 14:17

@Orf1abc

There should be a specific mental health emergency team.

There is. Every area has a mental health crisis team that should be available 24 hours a day. But getting any help from them is practically impossible.

I'm under them! They're available on the phone but not much help to be honest.
OP posts:
Everleigh2021 · 06/01/2021 14:17

i was in the police early 90's and did this many a time! its part of the job

working with people brings different situations, things you couldn't imagine

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