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Police and Mental Health

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Heavenly Star

Well-Known Member
#21
I have had many, many dealings with the police due to my mental health and suicide attempts. I would get taken to the station under S136, detained in cell, then assessed by a mental health team who didn't give a shit so would let me go.

Eventually the police got fed up of dealing with me so i was arrested for 'Wasting police time'. However, this was eventually dropped as the crown prosecution service told them they couldn't take it any further.

Some officers were kind and compassionate, whilst others were just downright rude and abusive.
 
#22
I was 20 when I had my first suicide attempt. It first started out with drinking that night. I drank to a point where you're feeling invincible or just letting out everything emotionally. So I went on a rage in my house and started to destroy things inside of it. That's when my mother called crisis people (whatever the hell they are), but the police had to be there because I was dangerous. I would never harm someone else in a suicide attempt. Once I heard that she had the crisis coming, I went and sat outside where the neighbors could easily hear me. Before sitting down, I took the rest of my xanax prescription (25mg).There was a glass table next to me, I broke that with my hand and started to slam my feet all over the glass. Then I banged my head and hands onto the concrete. After those moments, I was bleeding pretty much everywhere and decided to jump into the pool to try and make the pain back off. In 10 minutes I became really drowsy, and the pool calmed me down somewhat before the xanax took over. Then I heard a voice behind me, asking me if I could come out of the pool. The police. I was shocked and as I turned around and started to walk toward them they told me to stop where I was. They had their hands near their guns obviously...or stun gun idk. Anyways I didn't listen to them and kept walking toward them so they began walking backwards and I just simply told them I am not going to harm anyone. Crisis needed to be aware that they weren't going to be in any danger, that's why the police were there. I have a very high tolerance to xanax, so when they asked if I had taken anything else, I didn't say I did, wanting to die and all. Fortunately, I guess, the police and crisis had kept me awake enough by talking with me for well over an hour which threw any idea of dying in my sleep out of the window. The police overall are cooperative imo with these situations. They're just doing their job.
 

Wastingecho

Well-Known Member
#23
been taken by the police twice - both times despondent but not yet crossed the line into actively suicidal, just really close.

both times i ended up handcuffed - both times i ended up dumped in the main ER of the only hospital in the county that has a mental health unit.

do you have any idea how that feels? to sit there in cuffs where everyone can see you and wonder what crime you committed?

never again - i will go for their guns before i let them do that to me again
 
#24
the police here in portland, oregon, have a very bad record of shooting mentally ill people. it's absolutely ridiculous. i have told my family numerous times not to call the police on me. i find it very scary.
 

starryeyed

Well-Known Member
#25
I had the guard arrest me and were horrible to me.One stopped me int he road when i was having a nervous breakdown and told me i had no friends and nowhere to go.
tonight the guards made out i was lying after my brother assaulted me .i left in tears and am still crying.ill never go to them again
 
#26
I have been picked up by the police twice.

The first time was in a public place, I was not, to my knowledge, put on a 136 and went with them peacefully. I knew they were coming for me as they'd phoned me, and I asked them to send a female officer. They said this was fine and sent two females and a male. They took me to custody but I was upset, they said it wasn't appropriate for me to be there and kindly took me to A&E instead. I sat in a bare room with them for a few hours, and they were friendly, until my observation was taken over by a couple of very kind security guards instead. I was sectioned and sent back to my home county.

The second time I was up a tree intending to hang myself. They spoke to me on the phone for some time trying to get me to tell them where I was, but I wouldn't. I remember seeing the flashlights coming closer to me then and they found me. There was a number of them. A female officer put her hand round my waist and took me to one of the cars, with a couple of other officers. When I was in the car, one officer said I was being detained under the mental health act. I was strip searched in a cell by two female officers (boy did I panic when they pulled on the latex gloves!) and put into another cell with the door shut and a camera on me. I was given food and was treated well by the officers. I was assessed and sectioned, went to the hospital about eight hours after the 136.
 

Flying Fox

Upside-down Hugger
SF Supporter
#27
The local police were involved in the search to find me when I did not come home that night, and some members of the Search and Rescue team were in the area when the woman who had found me came and brought them to the site. Upon their arrival I was taken to a helicopter and flew me to the hospital.

The town I live in is 1 square mile bordered by large towns directly next to it, and and the police force is quite small with the same few guys. They are very nice, and one time when I was out side my house after the attempt a police man who was driving by stopped his car to give me a hug. Just recently I had another conversation with him in the local cafe. When I see them driving by we exchange waves. What is fortunately about living in a smaller town is that the relationships with the police are more personal, since there are fewer of them, and more relaxed. We do not have a lot of crime in the area - the worst that happens are items stolen and almost everyone knows each other. My dad is involved with the Community Council so he knows them that way.
In general, I feel quite lucky and glad to have policemen like the ones in my community, they are all very nice and not impersonal.
 

GoldenPsych

Well-Known Member
#28
Yeah you are lucky that that works for you. I'd hate it. I would be super paranoid that other people would find out. If I was a little mad I would quite like that small community feel but I would hate it now.
xx
 

GoldenPsych

Well-Known Member
#29
OK on the other end of it...not good! They were horrible. It goes to show it's all a front for the nurses to make them think they treated you well. Nasty gits with no compassion!
 

Flying Fox

Upside-down Hugger
SF Supporter
#30
'pologies for the late reply


Yes, I think it has to do with what sort of town or area the police officers patrol. If they are constantly dealing with hard core stuff than it can be expected that they will treat every other case just as roughly. The tactics that work best for them are the ones they're gonna use, over and over, to get the apprehended to cooperate - take a look at what happened with Oscar Grant.
I am sorry to hear about how they treated you in your last blog posts - they had no call to treat you that way . :hug: Bruises and injuries - that is really bad.
When it comes to people who are perceived to be a hazard to themselves, the worst way to go about delivering them to safety is with physical and mental abuse, I say. It'll dampen moods even more.
 

anarulesmenow

Well-Known Member
#31
I had a caution recently for something and they actually asked if I wanted any counselling or help with anything and they were very kind about it. I was very surprised, as I usually think of cops as 'pigs'!
 
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GoldenPsych

Well-Known Member
#33
My opinion of them has gone completely down hill. Usually I have had quite a lot of respect for them. It was one in particular. Dr T noticed yesterday that I was in pain as I couldn't move my arms properly and I am covered in bruises. I know I was a bit mad, but there was no need to cuff me round the back. I asked for them to be put to the front but they wouldn't. I have seen people who have assaulted a police officer have their cuffs on at the front. I was so tempted to smack her. She was a nasty little cow. The blokes were ok with me I suppose but it was one woman in particular. If she hasn't have been a police officer I would have ended up punching her as she was getting to me that much.
 
#34
I didnt want to start a new thread with this, but I want people's honest opinion on something. I am gonig through a really rough patch at the moment, and it is pretty likely that I will harm myself if nothing is done about it. What I want to know is how do I go about getting myself committed to a mental hospital? Do you think I should? I've never been to one before, but the possibilty of the stigma following me is what puts me off. I get the feeling once its on your record you have been in the mental home it will stay
 

itmahanh

Senior Member & Antiquities Friend
#35
I think you should go to your local emergency at the hospital. They will assess you and help keep you safe. Probably keep you for a few days until they can establish a safety plan for when you get home and help you to set up appointments with a professional. Please go and tell them you are a threat to yourself and that you are having thoughts of suicide. Good luck

Regarding the police, yes I have had them interrupt several attempts. They have never been anything than completely professional, considerate and compassionate. I cannot say the same about myself. The times that I was still conscious when they arrived I was not a very pleasant person but they completely understood and got me the help I needed. The times I wasnt, well they did what they had to do and aided the EMS the best they could.
I think people have to remember, in most situations if the police know you are a threat to yourself, they are obligated by law to intervene. It is their job. They try to get you the help you need. And most of us are not who we usually are when we are that far gone in the thoughts and urges of suicide. Our behaviour may not be as friendly as we think we are. The police are in a difficult and sometimes dangerous situation when confronted with a suicide situation. So I offer my greatest thanks to the police. I may not want to be "rescued" but I understand it is their job.
 
#36
I didnt want to start a new thread with this, but I want people's honest opinion on something. I am gonig through a really rough patch at the moment, and it is pretty likely that I will harm myself if nothing is done about it. What I want to know is how do I go about getting myself committed to a mental hospital? Do you think I should? I've never been to one before, but the possibilty of the stigma following me is what puts me off. I get the feeling once its on your record you have been in the mental home it will stay
best way is to go to the ER and let them know you are thinking of harming yourself. they can assess you and set you up with the appropriate medication and supports. it's not as scary as it sounds (done it a bunch of times). you first see the triage nurse, you just tell her you are feeling suicidal. then you usually get escorted to the crisis area or wing. you wait there until you are assessed by the mental health team. they will make a recommendation to the doctor on call (a psychiatrist or ER doctor). the nurse will usually take blood for a blood test to see if you are on anything, and a urine sample too. then you wait for a bed to come available. good luck, and be brave. if you think you need to be admitted then go ahead and go to the hospital. they will know what to do.
 

AnnieOakley

Well-Known Member
#37
My ex and I got into a fight, and he started hitting me, so I walked down the street to call the cops, and when he came over, my ex totally lied to him about what happened, and when the cop checked my purse I had my anxiety medication on me, so the cop totally sided with my ex.
 
#38
best way is to go to the ER and let them know you are thinking of harming yourself. they can assess you and set you up with the appropriate medication and supports. it's not as scary as it sounds (done it a bunch of times). you first see the triage nurse, you just tell her you are feeling suicidal. then you usually get escorted to the crisis area or wing. you wait there until you are assessed by the mental health team. they will make a recommendation to the doctor on call (a psychiatrist or ER doctor). the nurse will usually take blood for a blood test to see if you are on anything, and a urine sample too. then you wait for a bed to come available. good luck, and be brave. if you think you need to be admitted then go ahead and go to the hospital. they will know what to do.
I want to do it-the thing that holds me back is the stigma that mental health issues have, and to be honest I'm ashamed of myself. If I go to the hospital it will be an admission of failure on my part, though I know I need help I cant bring myself to do it
 

catecholamine

Well-Known Member
#39
I've been involved with the police multiple times for mental health issues. 9 times out of 10, they were very kind. Most of them just wanted to help or keep me safe. Unfortunately they usually were seeing me in the aftermath when I had already done something, being first responders before the paramedics got there.
 

Void

New Member
#40
ON multiple instances I have found they have no idea how to deal with a person except through intimidation and numbers. I am not a big guy and have been surrounded by up to six police because ive had a bad day and freaked out. There is no love lost between us. In fact I find that they aggravate the isssue which is probably what they want so they can throw their authority around. I will also make a point of saying that i have never harmed another person except in self defense. I direct all my rage frustration and sorrow at myself.
 
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