People with mental health problems being treated like criminals

"When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis they need care and support, not to be treated like they are a criminal." Our comment on a report released today.

People with mental health problems are having their rights to healthcare ignored and are being treated worse than criminals according to a new report.

The joint review, entitled 'A Criminal Use of Police cells?' was
carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The shocking findings include evidence that there were 9,000 incidences in 2011-12 of people experiencing a mental health crisis being detained in police custody as a 'place of safety', rather than a health setting.

The report also reveals that in over 80% of cases the reason for detention in a police cell was that the person had either attempted suicide or self-harm, or indicated that they were thinking of doing so.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
"When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis they need care and support, not to be treated like they are a criminal. Often the reason that someone is detained by police is because they have attempted to take their own life so a police cell is a completely inappropriate environment and would be a terrifying experience for someone who is already distressed and confused.

This report echoes the findings of our recent campaign on physical restraint in healthcare settings, which highlighted that people in a mental health crisis need help not harm.

It is outrageous that suspected criminals can be released sooner from custody than people with mental health problems, who are simply unwell.

At present, people with mental health problems can be detained in custody for a maximum of 72 hours whereas those arrested for a crime can only be held for a maximum of 24 hours before having to be released or charged. We welcome the call for this to be brought in line, however, police cells should only ever be used as a place of safety as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.

Last month the Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing published a report recommending comprehensive mandatory mental health training for police officers. While many officers do treat people with mental health problems with dignity and compassion, we also know that police do not always have the skills required to provide the care and support that people with mental health problems need in these situations.

We need to see more training and better multi-agency working agreements so that police can work in partnership with local hospitals, mental health liaison officers, and outreach teams."

Notes to editors:

• For more information and interviews please contact the Mind Media Team on T: 020 8522 1743 M: 07850 788514 E: [email protected] ISDN line available: 020 8221 0817
• Mind is currently campaigning to put an end to face down restraint in healthcare settings as part of its Crisis Care campaign.
• The Independent Commission on Mental Health and Policing was tasked by the MPS Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan Howe to look into how the MPS deals with incidents involving people with mental health problems. The Commission, chaired by Lord Victor Adebowale, looked at 55 cases where people had died or sustained a serious injury during or following contact with the police. The full report was published in June 2013.