Exclusive: New figures show on average 10 people in mental health distress die each year during interactions with state police
New figures reveal 52 people experiencing mental health distress died in interactions with New South Wales police during the past five years.New figures reveal 52 people experiencing mental health distress died in interactions with New South Wales police during the past five years.
But the service can only be used by police in smaller towns. Furthermore, mental health workers across NSW aren’t allowed to help police during high-risk incidents when a weapon may be involved – even if they are only providing advice virtually.They were both in extreme mental distress when they were killed by officers who forced their way into their homes after unsuccessful and hours-long attempts to “negotiate” with them.
A coronial inquest into McKenzie’s death – expected to deliver its findings by the end of the year – heard that police cadets undergo just 18 hours of mental health training and once in the force can participate in a voluntary one-day online training course. The inquest heard the restrictions applied to Sydney’s Pacer program as well as the Hunter New England region’s virtual equivalent – Mental Health First Responder. The latter is available in 63 towns and is due to start in Newcastle in the coming months.
The mental health minister said she would consider the recommendations from the review which could include changes to the Pacer program.Jackson said she was committed to making sure people experiencing mental illness received the care they needed and she was “deeply saddened” this hadn’t always been the case.
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