Police ‘ receiving rising number of calls linked to mental health’

MENTAL HEALTH is increasingly becoming one of the most common reasons for someone to call the police, a senior official at one of the Yorkshire forces has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Pannone, who recently joined North Yorkshire Police from its neighbouring constabulary in Cumbria, says many types of calls received by the force’s control room usually have a mental health aspect, from missing people to incidents of violence and drugs.

The long- serving officer and inspector has been in the police for nearly 20 years and has been trained as a negotiator for 17, helping talk down and reassure people at their most vulnerable moments.

He said the coronavirus crisis this year had seen rising numbers of calls from people concerned about someone’s mental health.

“Even though police now have better training than we used to and there is much more awareness around the issue, the number of people we are seeing with mental health issues is increasing,” he told The Yorkshire Post.

Calls with mental health elements range from concerns for safety from neighbours, loved ones or bystanders, missing people or even assaults where a person has lashed out.

Some 423 people were reported missing to North Yorkshire Police between March 23 and July 4 during lockdown this year, according to figures on its Freedom of Information disclosure log.

These included 296 aged 20 and under.

Last year alone, the force was called to nearly 23,000 incidents in which a person’s mental health was a factor.

“People are finding this year really tough,” Mr Pannone said. people

“They will continue to do so, especially as we move towards Christmas. The trouble with mental health issues is they can affect anyone at any time.

“Luckily, we have got a really good relationship with different authorities working in the sector. But mental health policing is a significant part of our day- to- day activity now.

“What’s really important is making sure people know where to go to get help.

“We do also ask people to look out for their neighbours and people who may be vulnerable.”

It comes as a charity revealed yesterday it had seen a surge in calls from people seeking advice for self- harm and how to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Rethink Mental Illness said that in the six months after lockdown, more than 2.3m people visited their website for advice and information.

The charity said demand for advice and information doubled compared with the six months prior to lockdown, including a 229 per cent increase in the number of people reviewing advice and information about selfharm.

The charity’s chief executive Mark Winstanley said: “This surge in demand for advice and information which has coincided with the onset of the pandemic is a sign that we’re witnessing something hugely problematic.

“We know that people are struggling with their mental health and that problems may be stored up for the future.

“It’s clear that the Government needs to invest properly in mental health now, above and beyond what we’ve ever seen before.”

Mental health policing is a significant part of our day- to- day activity. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Pannone, of North Yorkshire Police.