Police – Mental health response

This week I’m talking about mental health. I know what you’re thinking, “Stay in your lane Katie! What are your qualifications for having an opinion about mental health?” Of course, the answer to that question is ‘no qualifications at all’, but the luxury of writing an opinion column is that I can come straight out and tell you that while I absolutely recognise my lack of technical expertise on the topic, I still have an opinion on the issue.

The reason I feel able to hold views on the topic is simply because of the massive amount of police energy, time and resourcing currently going into responding to people in mental crisis. I would estimate that somewhere around one call in every four to our police station in the last week has been from a person in mental distress, at the core of the issue. It’s simply heart-breaking.

What’s worse is the fact that there is no quick fix. I know, through my work, that mental health services are doing the mahi, but the current need seems to be greater than the resourcing they have. We are extremely fortunate in this area to have Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand operate an adult mental health service in Warkworth. Local police staff have a great relationship with the hard-working folk at the service and we are grateful to have them. While the police will always attend to people in crisis, intervening to help those in danger of harm, mental health services are the lead agency in these instances.

So, what are the police doing to address their share of the workload. Waitemata Police District is among the first to assign staff to a dedicated unit to address the needs of people in mental health crisis. The newly formed Co-Response Team is headed up by our own Sergeant Mark Stallworthy. (Mark is on a temporary secondment to the team from his usual role as the Officer in Charge of Warkworth Police Station). Based at North Shore, the team is a combined police/mental health staff unit providing expertise and attendance at the most serious of the mental health calls for service. It is already lifting a portion of the workload from front-line police units.

Mental wellbeing is best looked at and treated earlier than later. Don’t wait for the wheels to fall off. If you’re feeling out of sorts, or if you think that someone you care about is struggling, reach out. Talk to a trusted friend, a medical professional or someone you’re comfortable with. Absolutely don’t struggle alone. I’m not an expert, but that’s my opinion.

Further information: https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz