A Victorian Government announcement to put health professionals at the forefront of mental health callouts has been welcomed by the state's peak body for Aboriginal health organisations, which says the approach will offer greater "compassion" to people in crisis.
On Monday, Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt announced the Mental Health Crisis Response Protocols, which set out arrangements for interactions between Victoria Police, protective services officers (PSOs), paramedics, mental health workers and other health professionals.
The government says police and PSOs will be required to support a health-led response wherever possible, with the protocols having been jointly signed by the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.
"When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they deserve a response that puts their health and wellbeing first while keeping them and the community safe," Ms Stitt said.
"We're making sure our paramedics, mental health workers and police are in step to deliver a health-led response that is patient-centred."
The Victorian Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) welcomed the announcement, following years of calls from Aboriginal organisations for mental health workers and paramedics to lead health responses instead of police.
VACCHO acting CEO, Jim O'Shea, said police could carry a deep history of fear, mistrust and trauma for Aboriginal people and families.
"Having trained health professionals lead these responses can help shift the focus from enforcement to care, helping to reduce fear, stigma and the risk of criminalising people who are unwell," he said.
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Executive Director of VACCHO's Balit Durn Durn Centre, Sheree Lowe, said the announcement was an opportunity for Aboriginal people in crisis to be treated with care rather than punishment.
She said health-led responses recognised mental health crises as health emergencies, with paramedics and mental health professionals best placed to provide support.
"For Aboriginal communities, culturally safe and trusted responses can make a real difference," Ms Lowe said.
"Aboriginal people experiencing mental health distress deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and understanding, with responses that recognise the importance of family, Community and culture."
The government says the protocols will also emphasise safe, less restrictive transport for people with mental illness where safe and reasonably available.
Options include support from family and carers, mental health services, non-emergency patient transport or paramedics.
Ms Lowe said for First Nations communities, the approach was "about building trust and ensuring responses are culturally safe, respectful and free from unnecessary escalation".
"Police will continue to play an important role where there is an immediate risk to safety or police powers are required," she said. "But where it is safe and appropriate, health professionals should lead."
