In a groundbreaking move, the government is embarking on a transformative journey to reform the management of mental health crises within the emergency services. Police Minister Ginny Andersen announced on Wednesday a significant overhaul of how the 111 emergency services address mental health emergencies, by enabling police to collaborate with mental health support groups.
Building upon the success of ongoing co-agency trial initiatives across six police districts, the government is poised to expand these programs over the next five years. These trailblazing programs integrate the expertise of “police, mental health professionals, ambulance officers, and in some cases, iwi,” according to Andersen.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall unveiled an ambitious timeline, stating that a comprehensive plan for the nationwide implementation of co-response teams would be submitted by March 2024. She elaborated, “The plan we have requested will delineate the pathway for transitioning from a police-led response to a multi-agency approach to 111 calls involving individuals in mental distress over the next five years.”
Recent findings from a Wellington study provided compelling evidence of the effectiveness of co-response teams, demonstrating a significant reduction in hospital visits and emergency department admissions. Notably, statistics underscored that 10% of all 111 calls pertained to incidents of mental distress, thereby placing substantial strain on police resources intended for crime-related matters.
Data from November 2021 underscored the urgency of this initiative. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster highlighted that the escalating volume of police-attended mental health crises, including suicide attempts, has witnessed a staggering annual increase of 10%.
“While the police will perpetually retain a role in responding to emergency calls that entail threats to life or public safety, it’s evident that a police-led response might not consistently be optimal for individuals undergoing mental distress,” Andersen emphasized.
Beyond the integration of mental health support groups, the government’s multifaceted strategy encompasses plans for enhanced call triage, an expanded telehealth infrastructure, and the establishment of “multi-agency crisis hubs” to alleviate the burden on emergency departments, as articulated by Verrall. The strategy will also delve into opportunities for augmenting mental health-related training for existing workforce members.
Significantly, this proactive endeavor aligns with a similar initiative undertaken in the UK just last month, which anticipates freeing up an impressive one million police hours annually through collaboration with mental health professionals.
