PCC Spotlight 2: Mental Health
This is the second in a series of spotlights highlighting promising strategies, schemes and approaches developed by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) on key issues. This spotlight focuses on promising practice among PCCs on mental health. We highlight areas where PCCs are going beyond the national agenda to develop innovative practice. This includes seeking to extend improvements to key groups such as those facing multiple and complex needs who often fall through the gaps.
One in four people experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. A high level of police demand relates to mental health related incidents, and a significant proportion of the offending population experience poor mental health. At national level, there has been a growing focus on this overlap between mental health, policing and the criminal justice system. There is a particular emphasis on policing powers under the Mental Health Act and responses to mental health crisis.
The police have an important role to play, but it is the work of health and voluntary sector partners that is central to achieving better outcomes for individuals. Their work also reduces the demand placed on the police when people fall into crisis. With their broader strategic partnership role, PCCs have an important part to play. As this briefing highlights, most PCCs are now prioritising mental health. There are many examples of promising practice that other areas and future policing leaders could learn from.
Key themes that emerge in this spotlight include:
- Ensuring strategic leadership and accountability, including the creation of a strategic coordinating role
- Developing triage schemes and exploring earlier intervention
- Improving pathways into holistic support for people facing complex needs
- Understanding local need and demand and reducing repeat demand through tailored support.
