NSWPF
Mental Health
Superintendent David Donohue
Corporate Spokesperson Mental Health
NSW 809,444 sq km or 312,528 sq milesNSWPF -15,943 sworn officers
NSWPF Mental Health portfolio:
– Existing structure (Corporate Spokesperson, Senior Programs Officer, 80 MHCOs)
– Program delivery: 80 MHCOs
– MHIT –Training, Policy and Operational Support
– Deputy Commissioner Sponsorship.
– Patron of MHIT – Governor General
– Government and Non Government Relations
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team Trial 2007-2009.
– Research - Literature Review/Tour 2006
– Trial objectives/ outcomes
– 2 year trial
– Trial sites: 2 urban locations & one rural/regional
– 24/7 coverage in trial sites
– Purpose written policing program.
– CSU Evaluation
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team Trial 2007-2009
4. NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team Organisational Structure
Commander
• Head up NSWPF response to MH
• Represent NSWP at Key meetings,
• Co-ordinate collaboration of all stake holders.
• Implementation of CIT Model.
• Drive corporate position on mental health and CIT Model.
Sergeant-EDO
• Field Advisor
• Field Implementation,
• Unit Co-ordination,
• Co-ordinate training.
• Review of Training Material
• Provide train the trainer course for field implementation
Analyst
• Collation of Information• Liaison for Unit
(Health/Police University)• Assist in Training and
Implementation• Gather intelligence
information and build database of Consumers and Community Support Groups
Mental health Professional
CNC• Assist with S22 admissions,
• Liaison between Police and Health
• Assist in Training and Implementation,
• Gather Intelligence information and build database of Consumers and Community Support Groups.
Project Officer
• Frequent user Program
• Provide expertise in training and education
• Review the effectiveness of Police Mental Health Training from a NSW Health perspective
Senior Program Officer Mental Health
• Oversight of Legislative Compliance
• Policy Development
• Program Delivery
• Consultation on Education and Training
• Interagency Representation
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team Trial 2007-2009
• Reduce the risk of injury to police and mental health consumers during mental health crisis events,
• Improved awareness by front line police of risks involved in dealing with mental health consumers and strategies to reduce injuries to police and consumers,
• Improved collaboration with other government and non-government agencies in the response to and management of mental health crisis events, and
• Reduce the time consumed by police in the handover of mental health consumers into the health care system.
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team Trial 2007-2009
MHIT Objectives
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Content Considerations
8.00 – 8.10am Role Call Role Call Role Call Role Call Prerequisite: MOU On-Line module
Progressive Scenario
Verbal Judo/NegotiatorsAmbo involvement
Mental Health StaffFeedback/interaction from MH patients and families (panel)
Investigating/Interviewing people with Mental Health
8.10 – 8.30am IntroductionsHousekeepingIce breaker
OS OptionsOH&S Considerations
Legal IssuesMOUMental Health ActNSWPF ProceduresForensic Provisions
Crisis Intervention SkillsCommunicationTactical withdrawal
8.30 – 9.00am Opening – MHIT CommanderMental Health Spokesperson
9.00 – 10.00am Course OverviewQuestionnaireExperience/ExpectationsHistory
Child and Adolescent Disorders
10.00 – 10.20am Morning Tea Morning Tea Morning Tea Morning Tea
10.20 – 11.20am Critical IncidentReal life scenario
Geriatric Issues Schedule 2/Section 24Writing for admission
Crisis Intervention SkillsCommunicationTactical withdrawal11.20 - 12.20pm Developmental
Disabilities
12.20 – 1.00pm Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
1.00 – 2.00pm Mental Illness: Signs and Symptoms
Family Perspectives and Consumer Panel
Psychotropic Medications
Role Plays
2.00 – 2.45am Substance Abuse and Co-occurring Disorders
2.45 – 3.00pm Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea Afternoon Tea
3.00 – 3.45pm Mental Illness: Signs and Symptoms
Family Perspectives and Consumer Panel… continued…
Risk Assessment Summary EvaluationAssessment
3.45 – 4.00pm Review of day Close
Review of day Close
Review of day Close
Review of day Close
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
Charles Sturt University • “MHIT-trained officers reported a greater
confidence, awareness and use of de-escalation techniques when engaging mental health consumers in crisis, and acknowledged that this had reduced the risk of injury for both police and consumer”
The NSW Police Force Mental Health
Intervention Team: Evaluation ReportCharles Sturt UniversityCentre for Inland HealthFebruary 2009
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
Emerging Findings:-• “A reduction in the amount of time spent
dealing with mental health related events • An increased understanding and
awareness among officers in dealing with such events
• An increase in the use of de-escalation techniques as a result. “
The NSW Police Force Mental Health Intervention Team: Evaluation Report
Charles Sturt University
Centre for Inland Health
February 2009
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
Mental Health Intervention Team
– MHIT program 2010 – 2015
• 10% of all operational officers to receive training by 2015
• 2010 Mental Health Contact Officers - trained
• Targeted Violence Initiative for schools.
• National Training Program
NSWPF – program initiative ‘Mental Health Intervention Team’
Testimonial“ I am firmly of the view after some thirty years of dealing
with mental health issues as a phase of duty in the Policing environment that the MHIT training course which has flowed from the massive change in the way we deal with Mental Health as a community, will only provide tremendous benefits to Police and our role in this area .
This type of training and the exposure to a raft of information and experiences during the course, has undoubtedly equipped us with what I believe is a far greater understanding of the issues that confront Police in the field when dealing with persons with mental health disorders. The course was detailed in content and from first hand observations, has engendered a tremendous level of interest and commensurate level of applications to undertake the course after participants returned to the Command “
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team
• “Hi MHIT team, • • First day back at work after course and guess what??..first job is mentall illness
related...border line personality disorder who hasn't taken her medication for the past three days, original job was a domestic.
• • The course came flooding back and I think the whole event went better for having
some background knowledge. The event is,XXXXX please have a look and let me know if I have completed correctly.
• • • Thanks • • Karen • • Karen CUTTING • Leading Senior Constable • Team 2 • Penrith LAC”
Testimonial
NSWPF Mental Health Intervention Team