Crossroads in Mental Health Crisis and Law Enforcement – Webinar – 2020-01-23
Evolving social, economic and fiscal realities have created a strain in the treatment of mental illness. As a result of this strain, police services often become the first line of contact between a person in crisis and available resources. Police
Evaluating psychiatric readmissions in the emergency department of a large public hospital – 2018
Introduction: Hospital emergency departments (EDs) around the country are being challenged by an ever-increasing volume of patients seeking psychiatric services. This manuscript describes a study performed to identify internal and external factors contributing to repeated psychiatric patient admissions to the
Experiences of Individuals Who Were Physically Restrained in the Emergency Department [2020]
Question How do individuals interpret experiences of physical restraint in the emergency department? Findings This qualitative study of 25 patients who were physically restrained in the emergency department found the 3 following major themes: harmful experiences of restraint use and
Exploring Mental Health-Related Calls for Police Service: A Canadian Study of Police Officers as ‘Frontline Mental Health Workers’ [2018]
Official police data from a Canadian city were used to provide insight into calls for police service that were primarily related to mental health concerns (N = 400). People with mental illness (PMI) consumer demographics, situation features, and outcomes of
First Presentation with Psychotic Symptoms to the Emergency Department [2017]
Background Mental health conditions account for 52.8 million (4.9–6.3%) emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. Psychotic conditions are responsible for approximately 10% of all mental health presentations. Objective We aimed to determine the underlying etiology and characteristics of
Grading the States: An Analysis of Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment Laws [2018]
Grading the States: An Analysis of U.S. Psychiatric Treatment Laws examines the laws that provide for involuntary treatment for psychiatric illness in each state. To do so, we asked a crucial question: Does the state law allow an individual in
How do ED patients with criminal justice contact compare with other ED users? A retrospective analysis of ED visits in California [2018]
Objective To assess the patterns of emergency department (ED) utilisation among those with and without criminal justice contact in California in 2014, comparing variation in ED use, visit frequency, diagnoses and insurance coverage. Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Setting Analyses included
HSJCC – Crossroads in Mental Health Crisis and Law Enforcement – 2019-11-04
Evolving social, economic and fiscal realities have created a strain in the treatment of mental illness. As a result of this strain, police services often become the first line of contact between a person in crisis and available resources. Police
Impact of acutely behavioural disturbed patients in the emergency department: A prospective observational study [2018]
Objective The present study describes patients with acute behavioural disturbance presenting to the ED, the impact they have on the department and any complications that occur. Methods We performed a prospective observational study of adult patients (>17 years old) requiring parenteral
Impact of Psychiatric Nurses in a Liaison Role on Mental Health Care in Emergency Room: A Systemic Review [2017]
Background: Mental illness affects about 26.2 percent of the people in the United States in a 12 month period and has a life time prevalence of about 46 percent. This implies that a large number of patients depend largely on
Implementation of three innovative interventions in a psychiatric emergency department aimed at improving service use: a mixed-method study [2020]
BackgroundEmergency department (ED) use is often viewed as an indicator of health system quality. ED use for mental health (MH) reasons is increasing and costly for health systems, patients, and their families. Patients with mental disorders (MD) including substance use
Intensive home treatment for patients in acute psychiatric crisis situations: a multicentre randomized controlled trial – 2018
Background Hospitalization is a common method to intensify care for patients experiencing a psychiatric crisis. A short-term, specialised, out-patient crisis intervention by a Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) in the Netherlands, called Intensive Home Treatment (IHT), is a viable intervention which
Investigating the Characteristics of Vulnerable Referrals Made to a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub [2019]
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASHs) have been a feature of safeguarding processes since 2010, aiming to increase information sharing, joint decision-making, and co-ordinated interventions between safeguarding agencies. However, understanding the mechanisms underpinning MASH, and who they protect, is limited. This article
Involuntary psychiatric admissions have increased significantly in Ontario: study – News Release – Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences – 2018-02-22
Involuntary psychiatric hospital admissions have increased steadily from 70.7 per cent of all psychiatric admissions in 2009 to 77.1 per cent in 2013. In a new study from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and the Centre for Addiction
Is 911 a Safe Option for a Mental Health Crisis? – Psychology Today – 2018-07-12
When I learned how to assess for suicide in graduate school, I was taught to add “go to the nearest ER or call 911” to any safety plan for a client who was not in imminent danger of self-harm but
Joint Mobile Crisis Response Pilot Project – Made in Thunder Bay – 2019-11-04
The Joint Mobile Crisis Response Pilot Project is an innovative partnership between Canadian Mental Health Association – Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Police Service, and the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Crisis workers partner with police to respond to mental
Keeping It REAL: Assisting Individuals After a Police-Abated Mental Health Crisis [2018]
This article evaluates a community-based, peer support program in which police officers and mental health workers collaboratively address citizens’ mental health needs following encounters with law enforcement. We analyzed data 12, 24, and 36 months after a police-abated mental health
Length of Involuntary Hospitalization Related to the Referring Physician’s Psychiatric Emergency Experience – 2018-03
Although involuntary commitment (IC) is a serious intervention in psychiatry and must always be regarded as an emergency measure, the knowledge about influencing factors is limited. Aims were to test the hypothesis that duration of involuntary hospitalization and associated parameters
Malingering in the Psychiatric Emergency Department: Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes [2018]
Objective: Malingering is commonly encountered in the psychiatric emergency department, yet little is known about its prevalence, objectives, or effect on patient management. This study analyzed characteristics of malingering and patient disposition in a 24/7-staffed comprehensive psychiatric emergency program (CPEP)
Mental health crisis resolution teams and crisis care systems in England: a national survey – 2018
Aims and method A national survey investigated the implementation of mental health crisis resolution teams (CRTs) in England. CRTs were mapped and team managers completed an online survey. Results Ninety-five per cent of mapped CRTs (n = 233) completed the
Mental health crisis training for non-mental health professionals [2020]
PurposeThis study aims to evaluate a training in mental health crisis support for non-mental health professionals who work in urgent care settings. The training consists of an e-learning module, a one-day face-to-face (F2F) interactive study day and simulation training. Design/methodology/approachThis
Mental Health Engagement and Response Team(MHEART) – Why Crisis Response should be Multi-Sectoral and Flexible – 2019-11-04
After years of program reorganization, and re-deployment of resources to meet the needs of individuals in mental health crisis; and coinciding with the creation of the Northumberland County Situation Table, the MHEART program was created. This workshop will share the
Mental health training programmes for non-mental health trained professionals coming into contact with people with mental ill health: a systematic review of effectiveness [2017]
BackgroundThe police and others in occupations where they come into close contact with people experiencing/with mental ill health, often have to manage difficult and complex situations. Training is needed to equip them to recognise and assist when someone has a
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) – Development and Evaluation of Toronto’s Co-Responding Police Mental Health Service Team – 2015-11-17
The Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) is a co-responding police-mental health program. This presentation will share the process of coordinating MCIT’s across hospital, LHIN, and justice/healthcare boundaries. The results of a mixed-method outcome evaluation will be presented, focusing on clients’ experiences with
Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (Hamilton)
This presentation will focus on the development and outcomes of a new first responder model that pairs police officers and mental health crisis workers for 911 response in Hamilton, ON. A description of how the MCRRT evolved from a strong
Mobile Crisis Response Teams in Ontario: A Provincial Framework and Toolkit – 2019-11-05
Over the past 20 years in Ontario, there has been ongoing development and implementation of collaborative crisis response teams that involve police and mental health and addictions service providers responding to front line crises. While great successes have been seen,
Mobile Integrated Team – Creating Capacity through Mobile Response – 2019-11-05
The Mobile Integrated Team (MIT) is a joint pilot project between Lutheran Community Care Centre, Community Living Thunder Bay and Options Northwest. They provide a flexible and responsive model of support to adults with developmental disabilities and other multi-sector, complex
Multi‐site study exploring the experiences of security staff responding to mental health, drug health and behavioural challenges in the emergency department [2020]
ObjectiveThis multi‐site study aimed to give voice to the views and experiences of security staff in assisting with the response to the growing number of people with mental health, drug health and behavioural problems attending EDs. MethodsExplorative qualitative research design,
Multi‐site study exploring the experiences of security staff responding to mental health, drug health and behavioural challenges in the emergency department [2020]
ObjectiveThis multi‐site study aimed to give voice to the views and experiences of security staff in assisting with the response to the growing number of people with mental health, drug health and behavioural problems attending EDs. MethodsExplorative qualitative research design,
National implementation of a mental health service model: A survey of Crisis Resolution Teams in England – 2017-01
In response to pressures on mental health inpatient beds and a perceived ‘crisis in acute care’, Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs), acute home treatment services, were implemented nationally in England following the NHS Plan in the year 2000: an unprecedentedly prescriptive
National Trends in Emergency Department Visits by Adults With Mental Health Disorders [2016]
Background Although mental health disorders (MHDs) affect as many as 1 in 4 adults in the U.S., the national trends in emergency department (ED) use for adults who have MHD comorbidities are unknown. Objective To evaluate the role of mental
Ontario Expanding Mobile Crisis Services to Respond to Mental Health Emergencies: Investments Will Increase Access to Mental Health and Justice Service Programs – News Release – 2020-11-17
The Ontario government is providing over $37 million to significantly expand mental health services across the justice system. The funding will be used to expand mobile crisis teams across the province, hire additional staff, and support the creation of tailored
Paramedics’ perceptions of their scope of practice in caring for patients with non-medical emergency-related mental health and/or alcohol and other drug problems: A qualitative study [2018]
Background Paramedics are called on frequently to provide care to patients with mental health and/or and alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems, but may have mixed views about how this fits within their role. Aims To explore paramedics’ experience of
Perceptions of Procedural Justice and Coercion during Community-Based Mental Health Crisis: A Comparison Study among Stand-Alone Police Response and Co-Responding Police and Mental Health Clinician Response [2016]
The interaction of police officers with people experiencing community-based mental health crisis has involved the use of first responder police responses and/or co-responding approaches with mental health clinicians. Despite favourable outcomes, the consumer experience remains largely unknown. The aim of
Perspectives on Indigenous cultural competency and safety in Canadian hospital emergency departments: A scoping review [2019]
Highlights • There are multiple perspectives on how to create culturally safe EDs for Indigenous patients. • Key facilitators include relationship building and ED-specific cultural competency training. • Key barriers include ED capacity limitations and racism/discrimination. • ED cultural safety
Police and mental health responses to mental health crisis in the Waikato region of New Zealand [2018]
New Zealand police report a high level of involvement with people in mental health crisis, something that has been reported in the international literature in recent decades. Involvement of police represents a coercive pathway to care and is likely to
Police Involvement in Involuntary Psychiatry Admission: A Report From the Dublin Involuntary Admission Study [2020]
Objective:The authors sought to compare diagnostic and demographic factors among patients who were involuntarily admitted to psychiatry care with or without police involvement. Methods:All admissions to psychiatry units in two university hospitals in Ireland were studied over a 3.5-year period.
Policies and procedures for patient transfers from community clinics to emergency departments under the mental health act: Review and policy scan [2020]
ObjectiveThe objective of this commentary is to summarize the few findings from the scientific literature pertaining to humane mental health transfer practices in the province of Ontario as well as the broader Canadian and international context. These findings are juxtaposed
Policing mental health: The composition and perceived challenges of Co-response Teams and Crisis Intervention Teams in the Canadian context [2020]
Due to an increase in interactions between the police and persons with perceived mental illness (PwPMI), police services have begun deploying specialized crisis responses to more adequately address these calls. One such response is a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) that
Prevalence and predictors of involuntary psychiatric hospital admissions in Ontario, Canada: a population-based linked administrative database study – 2018
Background Involuntary admissions to psychiatric hospitals are common; however, research examining the trends in prevalence over time and predictors is limited. Aims To examine trends in prevalence and risk factors for involuntary admissions in Ontario, Canada. Method We conducted an
Psychiatric Emergency Services – Can Duty-Hour Changes Help Residents and Patients? [2018]
Limitations on resident duty hours have been widely introduced with the intention of decreasing resident fatigue and improving patient outcomes. While there is evidence of improvement in resident well-being and education following such initiatives, they have inadvertently resulted in increased
Psychosocial stressors contributing to emergency psychiatric service utilization in a sample of ethno-culturally diverse clients with psychosis in Toronto [2017]
BackgroundUnderstanding the psychosocial stressors of people with psychoses from minority ethnic groups may help in the development of culturally appropriate services. This study aimed to compare psychosocial factors associated with attendance at an emergency department (ED) for six ethnic groups.
Referrals to a mental health criminal justice Liaison and diversion team in the North East of England [2018]
There is growing interest in the health correlates of people detained in police custody, and a number of innovations have been introduced to try to meet the complex needs of detainees. The implementation of Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion (CJL&D)
Report says B.C.’s Mental Health Act needs overhaul – 2017-12-22
British Columbia is considered the most regressive jurisdiction in Canada for mental health detention and involuntary psychiatric treatment, with many practices violating individual human rights, according to a report released by the Community Legal Assistance Society of B.C. “B.C. has
Self-Reported Needs for Care, Support and Treatment of Persons Who Frequently Visit Psychiatric Emergency Rooms in Sweden [2018]
Aim: To investigate self-reported needs for care, support and treatment among persons who frequently visit psychiatric emergency rooms (PERs). Design: A cross-sectional design. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using an interview-based manual. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis,
Self-Reported Needs for Care, Support and Treatment of Persons Who Frequently Visit Psychiatric Emergency Rooms in Sweden [2018]
Aim: To investigate self-reported needs for care, support and treatment among persons who frequently visit psychiatric emergency rooms (PERs). Design: A cross-sectional design. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected using an interview-based manual. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis,
Service Models for Urgent and Emergency Psychiatric Care: An Overview – 2018
There is variation in the way mental health services respond to urgent and emergency presentations, with few evidence-based models reported in the literature, and no agreed on best practice models. To inform the development of urgent and emergency psychiatric care
Special weapons and tactics teams in Canadian policing: legal, institutional, and economic dimensions [2019]
Despite extensive social science analysis of special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team deployment across the United States, the phenomenon in Canada has been overlooked. Drawing from data on deployments disclosed under freedom of information (FOI), legal decisions, and media data,
Specialized Crisis Team – Psychiatric Assistance at Police Incidents – 2016-11-16
The Waterloo Regional Police Service, Canadian Mental Health Association and the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) have been involved in a partnership since February of 2013 to deliver enhanced mental health crisis services directly to those in need. Police officers attending mental health
Specialized Police-Based Mental Health Crisis Response: The First 10 Years of Colorado’s Crisis Intervention Team Implementation – 2018
Objective: This study examined the implementation of crisis intervention teams by law enforcement agencies in Colorado. Methods: Rates of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) use, arrests, use of force, and injuries were assessed during 6,353 incidents involving individuals experiencing a
