Report Summary
A Public Briefing explaining the issues surrounding mental health and policing. This Briefing provides details about the Scottish context along with work being conducted in this area. Published in May 2023.
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Introduction
Police Scotland is increasingly providing support to people experiencing mental health distress; both by responding directly to calls for service and by safeguarding people in its care. In fact, of all the calls that the police receive, fewer than 20% result in a crime being recorded.
Meeting these growing societal needs is increasingly testing the capacity and capability of the police service, challenging the existing level of resourcing and skillsets within policing at a time if increasing and significant financial pressures.
These increasing demands add to the ongoing national discourse about how society better promotes positive mental health and wellbeing; helps people effectively in times of mental health distress; and how public services across the Whole System work together more seamlessly to deliver better outcomes for people.
