Police and mental health

Explains when you may have contact with the police, what happens if you are arrested and what your rights are if you are taken to the police station.

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Useful contacts

Mind's services

Mind's Legal Line provides legal information and general advice by phone.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

How to find an advocate

To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 or contact your local Mind.

If you're in hospital, you can also contact the:

Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) in England
Community Health Council in Wales

In some situations, you may be legally entitled to the support of an advocate. For more information, see our page on your legal rights to advocacy.

Other organisations

Civil Legal Advice (CLA)

gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.

Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)

policeconduct.gov.uk
Oversees police complaints in England and Wales.

Law Society

lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.

Legal aid checker

gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Tells you whether you are entitled to free legal advice, and where you can find legal advisors that specialise in criminal law (England and Wales).

Revolving Doors Agency

020 7407 0747
revolving-doors.org.uk
Supports people with mental health problems who have had contact with the criminal justice system.

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This information was published in November 2017.

This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.

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