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Police and Mental Health

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Gregor, it has been shown that the mere presence of power/authority tends to corrupt people and change their attitudes towards others...combine this with the way police are taught at the academies and the type of personality the profession usually attracts and you get people who are highly insensitive and rigid. That doesn't make them evil monsters...a few are REALLY bad, but for the most part, they're just going through the motions. Which are, by the way, somewhat negative. Also note that the average person is an insufferable idiot, so it's not really surprising that an average person with power is a bastard.
 

Underground

Well-Known Member
i often think when i'm acutely suicidal i would sooner go to a police station and ask to be put in a cell for my own safety rather than go to the hospital. i'm already saturated with guilt so it makes more sense. i wonder what they would do??
This probably depends on what country you're in, but here in the UK the police would not put you in a cell, but take you to hospital since at this point you're voluntary and they don't tend to lock up voluntary people, but if you were to then decide you don't want to half-way through they'd detain you under s.136 of the MHA, in which case they'd take you to a mental health suite or to the cells, if they put you in the cells then they'll put a police officer sitting in the doorway making sure you don't hurt yourself. Tbh, the police will not actually want you in their cells, they do not see it as their job to look after mental health patients and it takes hours to get an assessment and do anything they can to get you kept somewhere else, although usually not with much success.

I assume it's similar in the US/Canada/Australia.
 

Juliaa

Well-Known Member
When I called 911 nearly three years ago, the police were incredibly nice to me. They seemed like they really cared. I know it's their job but they seemed genuine. They made the process of talking to my parents and going to the hospital much better.
 

The_Guard

Well-Known Member
Not many people know this but when I was going to college pre-military I attempted, someone found out, called 911.
The cops were actually really nice. Asked what I took, then took
Me to the hospital, and after, they baker acted me for 48 hrs (google it if u don't know what it is) as far as issues with background check. No issues, joined the military about a year later, and own many guns now. Never an issue.
 
I have been forced inpatient 3 times by police and they have been to my house alot of other times on "mental health" calls. most of the time they have been nice and caring, once the officer was a jerk about it, just rude.
but I'll say the 1st time I was made to go in it was a guy I graduated highschool with and hadn't seen in 20 yrs who knocked on my door. kind of freaked me out he was like "hi, remember me?" I was like so embarrassed!!
 

Underground

Well-Known Member
Not many people know this but when I was going to college pre-military I attempted, someone found out, called 911.
The cops were actually really nice. Asked what I took, then took
Me to the hospital, and after, they baker acted me for 48 hrs (google it if u don't know what it is) as far as issues with background check. No issues, joined the military about a year later, and own many guns now. Never an issue.
Did the military know about it? I'm rather surprised if they didn't because they can request access to your medical records and police records and generally suicide attempts are a no-no if you want to join the armed forces. And I've seen the Baker Act being done on American police documentaries, it's pretty much what we're talking about in this thread, although it has a different name everywhere.

BTW, just noticed this thread is still active after a year since I posted. Amazing. lol.
 
Hi, I am just new in this forum, I work as a EMERGENCY SAFETY SPECIALIST for the mental unit in a hospital,my job basically is make sure a mental patient don't hurt himself or others when is bring to the emergency department,why police is involved, usually a friend, bystander,or family member take the option to call police and request help from them, at thisd point , police will ask you couple questions and try to find what happen ,usually they look if they are under overdose, medications or mental history, and then decide put under 72 hours medical detention, handcuffs will be for the safety of the officer under transport,here in USA is called a 5150 status, unfortunately , police forces act different ways when is under mental health status, some suicidals , have violent episodes or just trying to make the enfort to been killed,in my personal case , i work everyday looking the proccess, every episode is different , is not special age, or race, suicidal ideatios is for everybody that comes ,usually overdose create panic, and remorse, when they wake up and find that they don't die that was the idea on first hand, and then medical personel research the kind of drug use, and decide the proccess for all overdose cases, charcoil will be this first step, charcoil has use to avoid liver distrophy for the higth content of poison in the body, usually when is to higth they send to the ICU intensive Care Unit, ia rare cases patients die, but is when the proccess really start, as soon you are medically clear, you will be assigned a pischyatric who wiill ask you question about your lfe and feellings towards suicidal, if you have a plan , how many times are you trying to do it and family history,later they conforn that patient is suicidal , thaey call a dispatch center and they decide the placements for each case, at this time you feel so vulnerable that hurts know that is confirm the sucidal ideations, many of them cry, otehrs just lied in bed and others one get so violent that i have to put restrains for the own safety.... I hope this clarify some ideas of the proccess..
Gus
 
Hi, I am just new in this forum, I work as a EMERGENCY SAFETY SPECIALIST for the mental unit in a hospital,my job basically is make sure a mental patient don't hurt himself or others when is bring to the emergency department,why police is involved, usually a friend, bystander,or family member take the option to call police and request help from them, at thisd point , police will ask you couple questions and try to find what happen ,usually they look if they are under overdose, medications or mental history, and then decide put under 72 hours medical detention, handcuffs will be for the safety of the officer under transport,here in USA is called a 5150 status, unfortunately , police forces act different ways when is under mental health status, some suicidals , have violent episodes or just trying to make the enfort to been killed,in my personal case , i work everyday looking the proccess, every episode is different , is not special age, or race, suicidal ideatios is for everybody that comes ,usually overdose create panic, and remorse, when they wake up and find that they don't die that was the idea on first hand, and then medical personel research the kind of drug use, and decide the proccess for all overdose cases, charcoil will be this first step, charcoil has use to avoid liver distrophy for the higth content of poison in the body, usually when is to higth they send to the ICU intensive Care Unit, ia rare cases patients die, but is when the proccess really start, as soon you are medically clear, you will be assigned a pischyatric who wiill ask you question about your lfe and feellings towards suicidal, if you have a plan , how many times are you trying to do it and family history,later they conforn that patient is suicidal , thaey call a dispatch center and they decide the placements for each case, at this time you feel so vulnerable that hurts know that is confirm the sucidal ideations, many of them cry, otehrs just lied in bed and others one get so violent that i have to put restrains for the own safety.... I hope this clarify some ideas of the proccess..
Gus
why cant anyone respect peoples inherent right to do with what their life what they damn please.
 

Slothbear

Well-Known Member
I ran away from the psych ward when i was admitted recently and they alerted the police and authorities in the area. After wondering the streets all night and failing yet again due to bypassers i decided to head back on my own. I didn't have an issue until i got back to the hospital property.... security were waiting for me i was planning on going in on my own willingly but they decided to take it upon themselves hold on to me as i was walking. One of the security guys was really nice, the other was on a bit of a power trip.
 

Sleep

Active Member
A lot of my mental health problems have stemmed from heavy illicit drug use over the years which in turn has made me paranoid, especially with the Police. If I see a car, hear a helicopter or even see a copper I'm convinced that they're after me, even if I haven't done anything wrong and yet their job IS to help people.

Being banged up in a Police cell and having a panic attack was one of the most distressing times of my life after I was caught with drugs on me. They didn't believe me that I was really freaked out and might die in that cell after nearly EIGHT hours stuck in there. :ill:
 
over here its called a section 3. under mental health... i have not personally been stopped by cops but i know of friends who have. often the cops get there and an ambulance is called. the cop will then go with them to the hospital were your held in a room under a 72hour physic hold. needless to say often your out within 8 hours. cops here are really fair and understanding
 
In the height of my illness I had the police called on me multiple times. One of those times the police completely got what happened wrong in their report. My now ex-wife used that incorrect report against me to help her get a protective order against me. At the time she got the order because she was afraid I was going to harm myself around her. It's now been a few years since then and I've had the PO removed and I am 2 years police/suicide attempt free!

All of the officers I experienced were very nice even when I had to be handcuffed. Around here you can request a mental illness trained officer. I'm not sure if I ever had one because nobody knew to ask for one, but having the option is really cool.

I've had no problems with background checks since because of it.
 

Underground

Well-Known Member
In the height of my illness I had the police called on me multiple times. One of those times the police completely got what happened wrong in their report. My now ex-wife used that incorrect report against me to help her get a protective order against me. At the time she got the order because she was afraid I was going to harm myself around her. It's now been a few years since then and I've had the PO removed and I am 2 years police/suicide attempt free!

All of the officers I experienced were very nice even when I had to be handcuffed. Around here you can request a mental illness trained officer. I'm not sure if I ever had one because nobody knew to ask for one, but having the option is really cool.
What country/state are you in? A mental illness trained officer sounds like a good idea, in fact they should all be more mental health trained, really.

I haven't had any involvement with the police since June 2011, but then again I haven't been majorly depressed since then and obviously there's usually a correlation because I'm not a criminal. I'm hoping I don't again either, last time has put me off for life lol.
 

Underground

Well-Known Member
I watched this video a year ago and found it again, I'm wondering what peoples opinions on this reaction to a threatened suicide is?

I don't live in the USA, but arriving to the scene with handguns, shotguns and tasers drawn then tasering him whilst he's restrained seems like massive overkill?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me4Wk7OM7XU

That's just not appropriate to deal with a suicidal/mentally ill person, even if he was off his face on drugs/alcohol?
 

lightbeam

Antiquities Friend
I watched this video a year ago and found it again, I'm wondering what peoples opinions on this reaction to a threatened suicide is?

I don't live in the USA, but arriving to the scene with handguns, shotguns and tasers drawn then tasering him whilst he's restrained seems like massive overkill?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me4Wk7OM7XU

That's just not appropriate to deal with a suicidal/mentally ill person, even if he was off his face on drugs/alcohol?
I have to agree. He is restrained and on the ground, and yet they still taze him while retrained. That is completely asinine. And going up there with shotguns and everything is just too much.

That one police officer that was holding the shotgun, looked awfully happy.

Idiots.
 

letty

Banned Member
I have had several encounters with the police, some were mean to me, and a few times there were some that
were a little nice. i have seen them treat others bad, for instance, there was this lady around 58, she was
having some sort of a break down, she didnt want to go to the hospital, the police twisted her arm back and handcuffed
her, she wouldnt of hurt them, she wouldnt hurt a fly. i was so angry, I said something to them, they told me to
stay out of it. I didnt understand why they had to treat her mean.
 

simon

Antiquitie's Friend
i was picked up by the police once after escaping hospital while on section and they treated me brilliantly, laughing and joking on the way back to hospital, even asking me for directions.
they treated me with total respect and consideration.
 
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