The new protocols aim to relieve police of some of the responsibility for mental health callouts. Photo: Ambulance Victoria.
Victoria’s Labor Government has unveiled new guidelines to ensure Victorians suffering a mental health crisis receive the care they need faster and more safely.
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt announced the new Mental Health Crisis Response Protocols, which support a coordinated approach to mental health crises as Victoria transitions to a health-led response system.
The new system includes arrangements for interactions between Protective Security Officers (PSOs), police, paramedics, mental health clinicians and health professionals.
Police are often the first responders in mental health callouts, but evidence shows this can sometimes lead to worse outcomes for those Victorians needing help.
Victoria Police has recognised this and while changes are being made, the protocols acknowledge officers still play a vital role when responding to callouts.
Under the new system, whenever possible, police and PSOs will be required to support a health-led response, working with health services and paramedics to consider relevant clinical advice about someone’s mental health.
“When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they deserve a response that puts their health and wellbeing first while keeping them and the community safe,” Ms Stitt said.
“We’re making sure our paramedics, mental health workers and police are in step to deliver a health-led response that is patient-centred.”
The new rules emphasise safe, less-restrictive transportation of people suffering from a mental illness, when it is safe and feasible.
Every year, Ambulance Victoria responds to more than 60,000 mental health-related cases, of which 25,000 are paired with a police response.
Coordinating emergency responses means better care for Victorians while also freeing police to be in the community fighting crime.
Police Minister Paul Edbrooke said: “These protocols will help support police and PSOs to work safely and collaboratively with other services during mental health callouts.
“Transitioning to a health-led response will also free up police and PSOs so they can be on the beat, fighting crime.”
The new protocols have been jointly supported and signed by the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.
The overhaul is paired with a $5.5 million budget allocation to strengthen responses to mental health crises.
This funding injection includes the trial of expanded models of care, continuing the TelePROMPT system, which provides better access to mental health care via triple zero.
