Street triage

A partnership scheme between police and approved mental health professionals to provide advice and support for people experiencing mental health crisis. This advice can include an opinion on a person’s condition, or appropriate information sharing about a person’s health history.

The aim is, where possible, to help police officers make appropriate decisions, based on a clear understanding of the background to these situations. This should lead to people receiving appropriate care more quickly, leading to better outcomes and a reduction in the use of section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. It isn’t necessarily street-based but can be control room-based or via a helpline.

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