Application of a model for the development of a mental health service delivery collaboration between police and the health service.
Changing societal trends have revealed an increased prevalence of mental illness and diminished health resources from which to offer services. This has lead to a need to develop new and more efficient police and health service models of practice. Services offered by the police department in the management of mental health crisis in the community are essential in minimising the risk of individuals with mental health problems causing harm to themselves or a member of the public. In addressing the difficulties associated with police playing an important role in the management of mental health crisis in the community, but having little training in mental health issues, this paper discusses a proposed innovation for New South Wales police in Australia through the development of a Crisis Intervention Team model.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Murdoch University, Education Drive, Mandurah,Western Australia 6210, Australia. r.laing@murdoch.edu.au
Robert
R
Laing
Rebecca
R
Halsey
David
D
Donohue
Claire
C
Newman
Andrew
A
Cashin
D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D009517:New South Wales; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016495:Police / Q000193:education; D017751:Safety Management