999 callouts for mental health crises soar

The police are being called to deal with increasing numbers of incidents involving people suffering from mental health crises.

The number of such 999 callouts in England has risen by 41 per cent over the past five years, with some police forces seeing more than a twofold jump since 2015. Following the release of the figures mental health experts are warning that the increase highlights the erosion over recent years of services for people with conditions such as depression and schizophrenia who end up in crisis.

Under the Mental Health Act, the police are called out to help deal with a situation because someone having a mental health emergency may pose a risk to themselves or others. Officers usually take the person to hospital for treatment and some end up being sectioned under the legislation.

Responses from 23 English police forces to freedom of information requests show that the total number of mental-health-related incidents police were called to in their areas rose by 41 per cent, from 213,513 in 2015 to 301,144 last year.

Earlier this month the Royal College of Psychiatrists disclosed that almost two-fifths of people waiting for NHS mental health support ended up seeking help from emergency or crisis services, such as helplines and community teams. However, mental health bodies are concerned that there is too little care available for people in the early stages of a breakdown, which can deteriorate suddenly and lead to the police becoming involved.

Andy Bell, the deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health thinktank, said: “Use of the Mental Health Act has grown year on year for a decade as support to prevent crises has reduced due to funding reductions in local services. Austerity policies that reduce funding for early help increase spending on crisis services.

“With up to 10 million people needing help for their mental health as a consequence of the pandemic, we must ensure resources are available locally to keep people well where possible and respond quickly whenever necessary when help is required.”