1.3-1.5 Mental health

Question 1

1 in __ will suffer a mental health crisis. Approx _____,000 incidents per year

Answer 1

1 in 5
54,000

Question 2

Whats the MHA (2007)

Answer 2

Mental Health Act (2007)

Question 3

Mental illness is defined in s__ MHA

Answer 3

s4

Question 4

A mentally ill person is described in s___ MHA

Answer 4

s14

Question 5

A mentally disordered person is described in s___ MHA

Answer 5

s15

Question 6

What are the 5 most common mental illness’s that NSWPF encounter?

Answer 6

Depression
Bi polar
Schizophrenia
Personality disorder
Drug induced psychosis

Question 7

What section of the MHA is allows PACER officers to schedule people?

Answer 7

s19

Question 8

What section of the MHA defines our right to apprehend people for a mental assessment?

Answer 8

s22

Question 8

What section of the MHA allows ambulance officers to take someone for a mental health assessment?

Answer 8

s20

Question 9

If I apprehend someone under s22, I must complete a s22 form. What 4 things must be in it?

Answer 9

Tell the story…include history
What did they say?.. use quotes
What part of s22 did you use to detain them
What is the risk?

Question 9

s__ MHA is the power to transport, search and seize

Answer 9

s81

Question 10

As a police officer, we have 4 broad roles in regards to mental health. What are they?

Answer 10

-Cant diagnose or treat. Recognise signs and respond appropriately
- Try and see things from their POV (cognitive empathy)
- They may be having a medical episode, not mental. Open mind
- Patients, not prisoners

Question 11

When thinking about mental health. We should always refer to our missions and functions, s__ of the Police Act 19__.
And s__ which has our statement of values

Answer 11

s6, Police act 1990
s7

Question 12

Whats a stigma?

Answer 12

Its a mark. Myth and misunderstanding can lead to a stigma around mentally ill people

Question 13

Where do we justify use of force in a mental health case?

Answer 13

s81 (2)(a) and (b).
s230 of LEPRA

Question 14

Any and all force must be? (ANZPAA principles)

Answer 14

Reasonable
Necessary
Proportionate
Appropriate

Question 15

Declared mental health facilities are defined in s___ MHA

Answer 15

s109

Question 16

Whats meant by deinstitutionalisation?

Answer 16

If an individual has spent alot of time in a psych hospital or asylum, they’re institutionalised. (Used to order there, system)
Now that those are shut down and we have less isolated community health services, deinstitutionalised refers to these people now being treated normal

Question 17

s4 of the MHA defines irrational behaviour. What are the symptoms? (4)

Answer 17

Delusions
Hallucinations
Serious disorder of thought form
Severe disturbance of mood

Question 18

Whats a mental illness vs mental disorder?

Answer 18

Mental illness (s14 MHA) is generally a formal diagnosis. Reasonable grounds for believing that care, treatment and control is necessary.

Mental disorder (s15) is triggered by a single event. PTSD, anxiety, depression.

Question 19

In broad terms, whats the MHA 2007?

Answer 19

Its the law the governs the care, treatment and promotes recovery of persons in NSW that suffer a mental illness or mental disorder.

Question 20

Where are the ‘objects of the act’ for the MHA 2007 found?

Answer 20

s3

Question 21

What do I need, to ensure lawful detainment for a mental health assessment?

Answer 21

Section 22 (1a) + (1b) + (2) = lawful detainment (for a mental health assessment)

Question 22

Whats s81 MHA decribe?

Answer 22

This is about transport. After a detention under s22.
A breakdown of section 81 (by sub-sections) of the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW)
Subsection 1: will allow you to assist in the transport of the person
Subsection 2: will allow you to use reasonable force and restrain as necessary
Subsection 3: outlines that a person may be sedated
Subsection 4: allows you to conduct a frisk search of the person and remove things that present a danger to the person or could be used to escape
Subsection 5: allows you to seize things found when searching
Subsection 6: defines what is meant by frisk search
Of note, s 81 also applies to endorsed (police assistance required) s 19 and s 20 certificates.

Question 23

Whats the MOU?

Answer 23

Memorandum of Understanding.
Its an agreement between NSW Ambulance & NSW Police & Department of health in regard to managing mental illness

Question 24

What are the responsibilities of the NSWPF in relation to mental health?

Answer 24

Public safety
Self harm
Obligation to assist in transport

Question 25

Whats a table 1 vs table 2 offence?

Answer 25

Table 2 is Summary offence (police discretion allowed)
Table 1 is Strictly Indictable (No discretion allowed, we must proceed with the offence)

Question 26

Whats the STOPAR de-escalation model? Hint: D/T/C

Answer 26

Distance (5 metres)
Time (distance allows time to think [both yourself and the POI])
Communicate (If theres time, communication can be established. Empathy, rapport)

Question 27

Define a critical incident?

Answer 27

Incident involving a member of the NSW Police has resulted or serious injury or death of a person. Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Act (2016)

Question 28

___% of all critical incidents involve a mental health patient

Answer 28

17%

Question 29

Whats a PACER officer?

Answer 29

Police, Ambulance, Clinician Early Response

Its a specific officer responding with police to Mental health calls. 9% less people went to ER. PACER officers really help people