Rising Safety Concerns in Lincolnshire Trigger New Measures
In Lincolnshire, local law enforcement attended to more than 12,000 reported safety concerns in the past year. This figure equates to around 1,000 mental health call-outs every month, indicating a clear need for further support in the area.
Multi-Agency Approach
To address the high volume of call-outs, Lincolnshire Police has initiated a new scheme called Right Care, Right Person. Their aim is to prevent individuals in need from falling 'through the cracks'. This multi-agency approach ensures the most appropriate care is administered by the right agency. As the spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police explained, the police force is not always best suited to all situations, and in certain circumstances, health and social care partners can provide better assistance.
"At the heart of Right Care, Right Person is a motivation to make sure that people receive the most appropriate care from the right agency. The police are not always the right agency to respond to all incidents, and in some circumstances, our partners in health and social care are better placed."
The spokesperson assured that police will continue to respond to emergency situations where there is an immediate threat to life due to criminal activities, and that they will fulfil their obligations under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.
Mental Health Support Within the Force
Lincolnshire Police's initiatives also include having mental health practitioners work in partnership with the force control room. These practitioners provide crucial advice for officers dealing with incidents involving potential mental health components. Locally implemented police policies also assist in identifying their legal obligation during situations involving immediate threats to life.
Important Feedback
During a recent update to the county council's health and wellbeing board, Deputy Chief Constable Julia Debenham hinted at the broader implications of their local actions."There’s significant national commentary on this topic, primarily because there’s a perception that resources spent on policing could be better utilised elsewhere", she mentioned.
Sarah Connery, Chief Executive at the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, reinforced the commitment of all agencies to provide appropriate support for people in their most vulnerable state, although she also acknowledged the challenges of effective resource allocation.
"There needs to be sufficient resources for all relevant organisations across the board to make this happen,"
echoed Samantha Stewart, branch director at the Lincoln Samaritans charity.
Initiative History
Lincolnshire Police has undertaken numerous initiatives over the years to alleviate mental health-related pressures. Notably, in 2017, mental health nurses became part of a new £60,000 initiative, enabling their involvement in handling incidents related to mental health. This initiative, funded by the county's Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, continues to this day and has been expanded to include a second mental health response vehicle.
Mental Health Support
If you are struggling with emotional distress, the Samaritans organisation is equipped to provide support. Their 24-hour helpline can be reached toll-free at 116 123, and more information can be found on their webpage www.samaritans.org.