Mental Health Awareness Week
APCC Mental Health Lead, Matthew Scott PCC, said:
“Police and Crime Commissioners are delighted to be able to support and get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week. This is a really important event. It encourages all of us to talk about our mental health and find out more about the support available where we live.
“For policing it is vital that vulnerable people receive the right care from the right person at the right time. The police will always do their best to help people experiencing a mental health crisis, but police officers are not mental health professionals. PCCs have helped to shape reforms to the Mental Health Act which will see fewer people in crisis being held in police custody cells for their safety, but it is still the case that too much police time is being spent dealing with mental health cases when the public would rather see those police officers tackling crime in their communities.
“What is needed is for local health providers to ensure there is adequate support available for those who need it, so that vulnerable people have somewhere to turn to for help before the police needs to become involved.”