How a major policy shift is changing how police will respond to mental health call-outs

In Northern Ireland, police handle over 30,000 mental health calls annually, with about 80 calls per day on average. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has announced a major policy shift, effective November, to change how they respond to these calls. Starting then, the PSNI will no longer conduct concern-for-welfare checks unless there's a risk to life, harm, or crime involved.

The public will still call 999, but calls will be triaged and handled by other emergency services or health and social care staff as appropriate. This new policy, Right Care Right Person, aims to ensure individuals receive the most appropriate care from the right professionals or services. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson explained that the number of mental health contacts received by police has reached unprecedented levels, with only 3% related to crime.

Some campaigners, like Charles Little, support the policy, stating it could have prevented the murders of Michael and Marjorie Cawdery, which prompted a review of the PSNI's handling of McEntee, who was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. However, concerns have been raised about the impact on Northern Ireland's health and social care sector, which is already facing significant challenges, with 30% of posts vacant.

Critics argue that transferring safety nets to struggling services could lead to increased risks. Despite these concerns, the Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland, Prof Siobhan O'Neill, believes the policy is a necessary step forward, emphasizing that the police should not be the first responders in mental health crises.