Police Commissioner supports Mental Health Awareness Week

CAMBRIDGESHIRE's new Police & Crime Commissioner, Jason Ablewhite spent his second day in office visiting the Force Control Room in Police Headquarters in Huntingdon.

And to support the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, Jason spoke to Community Psychiatric Nurses from the Constabulary’s Integrated Mental Health Team who are based in the Force Control Room (where 999 calls are taken). 

The team is funded for the next 12 months through one of the Commissioner’s Crime and Disorder Reduction grants with a contribution from Safer Peterborough Partnership.

Every year, thousands of supporters across the UK take part in Mental Health Awareness Week. This year, the extended week runs from May 16-22 on the theme of relationships. See more at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/get-involved#sthash.nSFTHd7W.dpuf.

Community Psychiatric Nurses provide officers with real time clinical advice on the best way to support and keep safe people in mental health crisis. They are able to give professional advice to identify calls where mental health may be an issue and ensure that an appropriate response is provided.

The aim is to ensure call handlers and police officers make informed decisions so the right care is provided at the right time and from the right service.

Jason said:

“I wholeheartedly support the message behind Mental Health Awareness Week which this year focuses on relationships. This week not only encourages people to take responsibility for their own personal wellbeing but also advocates the provision of effective support when things go wrong.”

“Visiting the Force Control Room provided me with great insight into how the 999 process works and how queries are responded to. I was keen to understand the sorts of issues the staff are dealing with and was hugely impressed by the team.”