No proper training for gardaí facing ‘crisis incidents’

GARDAÍ with little training and “very limited” support are being forced to intervene in mental health crisis situations because of chronic gaps in the state’s community service systems.

A joint review of services by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) and An Garda Síochána has found that despite the reform document, A Vision for Change, being official Government policy for over three years, a series of difficulties are continuing to prevent its implementation.

According to the report, the absence of 24-hour community-based mental health services across the country means gardaí are being left with no option but to respond to “crisis incidents” without support from mental health experts.