Mental Health Services Struggle as Police Drop Crisis Calls
The Met Police recently announced plans to stop responding to non-emergency mental health calls due to lack of resources and training. While the move aims to protect overstretched police officers, it highlights larger problems with the UK's underfunded mental health system.
What’s going on with the police attending mental health calls?
According to the linked Guardian article, police responded to over 160,000 mental health calls last year, many to people in crisis. With waits of over 12 hours for specialist mental health teams, police often end up acting as first responders. But officers say they are not equipped or trained to deal with people experiencing severe conditions like psychosis or suicidal distress.
What are the risks?
By abandoning these calls, vulnerable patients in mental crisis may be left without any immediate support. Charities warn this could put lives at risk and lead to more instances of detained or harmed individuals. As one expert notes, "police are often the default service when health and social care services are absent."
This reform exposes how chronically underfunded mental health services have become. Community mental health teams lack capacity to deal with crisis calls in a timely manner. There are not enough beds for acute inpatient care, resulting in people waiting untreated in A&E departments.
Who can fill the gap?
While police can't be expected to fill the gaps, neither can vulnerable people in distress. Mental health budgets must be increased to ensure those in crisis have prompt access to specialised care. More community support and earlier intervention could help reduce acute episodes.
Until then, police withdrawals risk piling even more pressure on an already failing system. Officials and health leaders must work urgently to strengthen community mental health services to minimise harm and save lives. People in mental crisis deserve more than a slow or nonexistent response - they need care from professionals trained to help.
Read the article available here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/28/met-police-to-stop-attending-emergency-mental-health-calls
Frequently asked questions
- What does the article argue should be done to improve mental health services in the UK?
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The article argues that simply cutting funding is not the solution. The proposal is that officials should target resources more effectively at those with the most serious conditions, implement smarter reforms to improve efficiency, and strengthen community support and early intervention. The article emphasises that political will and fresh perspectives are needed to provide the right mental health services to those who need them most.
- Does the article consider viewpoints that oppose their proposed solutions?
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The article acknowledges the complex realities and funding challenges facing mental health services. However, they do not deeply explore opposing perspectives that may argue against the proposals. As an opinion piece, the article primarily aims to present one side of the debate and spur further discussion.
