"Fewer mentally ill people are being taken into police custody thanks to
a new initiative by ACT police.
Under the scheme, mental health clinicians work alongside police,
advising them on how to deal with people suffering a mental health
emergency.
This is helping to de-escalate situations and has seen a 40 per cent
drop in the number of mental health patients entering Canberra's justice
system.
"The clinicians can provide advice to the attending officers to reduce
the level of attendance or the stigma of the attendance," Deputy Chief
Police Officer David Pryce said.
"They might provide advice on the approach that police take, they might
even speak directly with the person if that's able to be done.""
Read more here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-10/embedded-mental-health-clinicians-
saving-lives/5014900?section=act
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