Explains when you may have contact with the police, what happens if you are arrested and what your rights are if you are taken to the police station.
View this information as a PDF (new window)
The three most common ways that people with mental health problems come into contact with the police are if they are:
In 2013, we published the report At risk, yet dismissed with the charity Victim Support. Findings show that people with mental health problems are:
You can read our page on what to do if you are a victim of crime.
If people are worried about you and think that you may be unwell or vulnerable, the police have special powers under the Mental Health Act:
For more information see our pages on the Mental Health Act.
Release from custody, possibly with certain conditions attached (for example to return to the police station or to go to court at a certain time).
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsIf you are held by the police and they realise, or are told, that you have a mental health problem, you have the right to be accompanied by an appropriate adult.
They should be an adult who is independent of the police, such as a member of your family or a mental health worker, but they cannot be your solicitor. You may be asked if you have a friend or family member you would like to ask or it could be a professional.
An appropriate adult should:
See our pages on police and mental health for more information.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsThis is a locally agreed place where the police may take you to be assessed. It's usually a hospital but can be your home. A police station should only be used in an emergency.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsThis is a locally agreed place where the police may take you to be assessed. It's usually a hospital but can be your home. A police station should only be used in an emergency.
Visit our full listing of Legal TermsThis information was published in November 2017.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.