Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Gregory Hickman

Abstract

Persons with mental illness (PMIs) are 16 times more likely to experience harm when interacting with police than individuals without mental illness. This inequity has recently become prominent in American discourse due to the ubiquitous use of cell phones and social media, where videos of incidents between police and PMIs circulate. In this generic qualitative research, members of a collaborative mental health and emergency medical service professionals (EMSPs) team in an urban area were interviewed to assess the team members’ perceptions of the impact of the program on frequency of adverse outcomes during interactions with PMIs. The theoretical framework for this study was based on the sequential intercept model (SIM), which identified six key points where PMIs can be redirected from the criminal justice system towards short- and/or long-term social services. Semi structured interviewing was used to capture the attitudes of 11 members of collaborative crisis teams as they cared for PMIs during a traumatic crisis. Thematic analysis was performed to identify six predominant themes including the program serves as an alternative response to traditional emergency response; partnerships are fluid and respectful; safety is a priority on calls; police are all-in; policy makers and community are taking notice; and short and long term linkage is key. The results of this study potentially benefit first responder systems nationwide, highlighting the benefits of emphasizing mental health strategies such as the collaborative mental health professional and EMSP team in caring for PMIs in a crisis as well as gaps in the system particularly as they relate to availability of, and diversion to, short and long term services.

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