Policing mental illness : examining the police role in addressing mental ill-health

People affected by mental illness are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities. They suffer from widespread, systematic discrimination and are consistently denied the rights and services to which they are entitled. The stigma and suspicion directed at people affected by mental illness is a major barrier to their full and equal enjoyment of life- creating fear and isolation when people are most in need of tolerance and understanding. The level of ignorance and discrimination still associated with mental illness and psychiatric disability in the 1990's is completely unacceptable and must be addressed (Burdekin, 1993).