Mental Health Awareness week is an ideal opportunity to highlight the work that we are doing in Dorset, to help those with mental health issues. In late June, we launch the street triage pilot which will see mental health nurses join police officers on emergency call outs. This twelve month scheme will ensure that people suffering from mental distress receive the most appropriate care. It will also help to reduce demands on valuable police time. You can read more about the scheme HERE.
As Chair of the PCC Mental Health Working Party, I am also keen to help change the culture nationally in terms of the policing response to mental health and I have accepted an invite to speak at Cambridgeshire’s Mental Health Roundtable on 1 July. It is important for local areas across the country to work together across services to improve care. The Mental Health Concordat which can be viewed HERE aims to half the number of occasions that police cells are used as places of safety for people in mental health crisis, compared to 2011/12.
Another key event this week, which I fully support, is International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). It is important that we continue to support our LGBT communities in Dorset and encourage those who are being bullied to speak out. Dorset Police takes hate crime seriously and I welcome the recent launch of the new hate crime app, which I encourage people to use. It means those suffering from the traumatic effects of hate crimes can report it and find out where to seek help and support.
The rainbow flag will be flying at Dorset Police HQ, Winfrith this weekend to mark support from The Office of the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner and Dorset Police for LGBT communities across Dorset. As trustee to Bourne Free , I also look forward to marking the charity’s 10th anniversary LGBT parade in Bournemouth this July. It is important that Dorset is a county where everyone feels safe, and feels secure in being themselves.
Regards
Martyn Underhill
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
