Police and mental health

Explains what happens if you're arrested and what your rights are if you're taken to a police station.

Useful contacts

Mind's Legal Line gives legal information and general advice by phone, email or post.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

To find advocacy services and groups in your area, you could call Mind's Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 or contact your local Mind.

If you're in hospital, you can also contact the:

In some situations, you may be legally entitled to the support of an advocate. For more information, see our pages on advocacy.

gov.uk/civil-legal-advice
Can tell you if you're eligible for legal aid, and give you free and confidential legal advice if so.

policeconduct.gov.uk
Oversees police complaints in England and Wales.

lawsociety.org.uk
Professional association for solicitors in England and Wales. Includes a searchable directory of solicitors.

gov.uk/check-legal-aid
Tells you whether you're entitled to free legal aid to help pay for legal advice.

0808 801 0525
rethink.org
Support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups.

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This information was published in February 2025. We will revise it in 2028.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.