Envisaging the Future Logo

In partnership with the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA), the Behavioral Health Foundation is excited to share a new report – “Improving Mental Health Outcomes Through Innovative Programs and Police Partnerships” – featuring case studies from newer programs that target the intersection between mental health and policing. GLEPHA’s Envisaging the Future of Law Enforcement and Public Health project showcases practical examples of law enforcement, public health, and community partnerships from across the globe. The goal of this project was to document innovative partnership approaches that explore effective and humane ways of responding to social and public health issues that have traditionally been criminalized or overly dependent on police.

GLEPHA and Behavioral Health Foundation Report 2024 - Cover

In September 2022, GLEPHA held a public event series called the Marketplace of Ideas. Our report summarizes the key learnings and discussions stemming from the event’s session on ‘Law Enforcement and Mental Health’ (co-hosted by Behavioral Health Foundation CEO Elliot Pinsly) in which four exciting programs from around the globe were selected to present their unique approaches to effectively and humanely improving mental health outcomes through partnerships.

We examined these case studies to better understand the key elements of the programs, to discuss their common characteristics, and to demonstrate the importance of collaborating across sectors to change perspectives and
improve community safety, health, and wellbeing outcomes.

  • The Human-centred Engagement and Liaison Partnership (HELP) in Canada
  • RedTraSex mental health pilot program in Latin America and the Caribbean
  • The Muamko Mpya: Healing the Uniform program in Kenya
  • Community & Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery (CLEAR) in the United States
If you are interested in finding out more about the topics explored in this report, please consider joining the GLEPHA Law Enforcement and Mental  Health Special Interest Group. The Group aims to: (a) Improve the outcomes of law enforcement interactions with people who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or distress in the community and (b) align health care and social resources to reduce the role of law enforcement in responding to mental health situations. The Behavioral Health Foundation proudly serves as a co-convener for this Group.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT

PREFERRED CITATION
Pinsly, E. (2023). Improving Mental Health Outcomes Through Innovative Programs
and Police Partnerships. Envisaging the future of policing and public health series.
Behavioral Health Foundation and GLEPHA.