Addressing the Inadequate Training of Police in Mental Health Emergencies

In emergency situations, police are frequently the first responders called to the scene. However, they are often ill-equipped to handle complex mental health crises, which can lead to escalation and harm. Recent inquiries and royal commissions highlight the urgent need for a shift from traditional police-led responses to health-led approaches. While current laws give police the authority to use force to transport individuals with mental health issues to hospitals, many times these trips occur without the involvement of mental health professionals, contributing to overcrowded emergency departments and inadequate care.

Studies indicate that only a small percentage of those taken to emergency settings are admitted, even in cases involving self-harm or suicidal thoughts. The strain on police resources is significant, with responses to mental health-related calls in regions like New South Wales occurring roughly every nine minutes. Moreover, police encounters with individuals experiencing mental health issues often result in increased risk, trauma, or even fatalities, partly due to a lack of proper training and understanding of mental health conditions.

People with lived experience consistently report that police interventions can be traumatic, with excessive use of force such as pepper spray, tasers, and restraints, even when they are not criminal suspects. They express a strong preference for ambulance-led responses and access to community-based services, including peer support and social programs.

Co-responder programs, where mental health professionals accompany police during incidents, have shown promising results. These initiatives aim to de-escalate situations, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and connect individuals to appropriate community resources. Research from Australia, the US, and Canada demonstrates that such models can be safe and effective, often providing quicker and higher quality care.

However, these programs face limitations due to underfunding, regional disparities, and limited long-term evaluations. The broader mental health sector also struggles with workforce shortages, making scalable and sustained implementation challenging.

Calls from researchers and advocates emphasize the need for reform, including diverting mental health crises from police to specialized healthcare responders. While recent royal commission reports propose paramedics as first responders, delays in policy changes hinder progress. Ultimately, people with mental health issues need compassionate, timely, and non-coercive responses from a well-supported mental health system to ensure safety and dignity during crises.