Officers now ‘first line of response’ for vulnerable people in mental health crisis

 Police officers have become the “first line of response” for mental health incidents as new figures reveal a growing number of call-outs amid strain on NHS and ambulance services. 

Information published by Police Scotland shows the force dealt with 23,259 ‘mental health related’ incidents last year – a near doubling from just 12,775 in 2017. Year-on-year rises have been logged despite an overall fall in all types of incidents since 2019.  But while mental health call-outs have soared, the actual number of crimes recorded as being ‘mental health related’ was just 656 last year – sparking warnings of “systemic failures in other public and emergency services” which are all being “pushed beyond breaking point”. 

The figures are reported in the April edition of 1919 Magazine, published today.

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “We are spending incredible amounts of time filling in for other services, particularly in relation to mental health and medical cases.  “The ambulance service simply could not cope without the police service, and the social work department is the same.”

Lib Dem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur told 1919 Magazine: “The police have become the first line of response for dealing with soaring numbers of mental health incidents.  “These complex cases take up huge amounts of time and resources amongst a patchwork of underfunded mental health services. “I applaud the compassion officers show to people in distress day-in day-out, but this should not be left to them. “Scottish Liberal Democrats have consistently argued for including co-locating mental health professionals alongside the police to help to tackle these complex cases.  “Ultimately however, it will require a dramatic overhaul of Scotland's mental health services to ensure that people are supported and treated before they find themselves in a crisis.”  McArthur called for an expansion of the mental health workforce, faster access to talking therapies at GP practices, and 24/7 access to crisis care.

  Conservative shadow justice secretary Jamie Greene said the new figures from Police Scotland also “reaffirm how overstretched our hardworking police officers are” and insisted dealing with the high-volume of mental-health related incidents “simply isn’t sustainable”.  He told 1919: “Police officer numbers are already at their lowest level since 2008 on the SNP’s watch and despite endless sidestepping comparisons with other forces, the Justice Secretary needs to start answering questions over the sustainability of the current policing model.  “The sharp increase in mental health call-outs in recent years points to systemic failures in other public and emergency services, who are all pushed beyond breaking point.  “Across the board, SNP ministers must step up and accept that status quo cannot continue lest we lose more hardworking experienced officers from the force at a time when we need them most.

” A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government recognises there are significant pressures facing mental health services and the impact that this has on other services including policing.  “We are working with partners across the health and justice sectors to address these issues and will continue to invest in wellbeing and prevention alongside early intervention and improving mental health services. “Initiatives such as the Enhanced Mental Health Pathway and the Distress Brief Intervention Programme allows police officers and staff the ability to support individuals in distress and direct them to the support they require. “Despite UK Government austerity, and in recognition of the crucial role Police Scotland officers and staff play keeping our communities safe, the service will receive additional resource funding of £80 million in 2023/24, a 6.3 per cent increase compared to 2022/23.”