St Giles Hospital’s principal medical officer Dr Sheetal Singh has called on law enforcement officers to refer anyone showing signs of mental illness on the streets to the nearest medical facility for proper assessment and care.
Speaking during the launch of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Monday, Dr Singh said most patients with mental illness were often denied the treatment they needed.
“Most of the time, when we find individuals suffering with mental health conditions, and they are found on streets showing behaviours that might be of concern, they are mostly taken to the cell, charged and taken to court,” Dr Singh said.
“When sentenced, in prison they do not receive any treatment that is needed for a psychiatric assessment and medications, counselling services and all.
“Now do you see the consequences of substance?”
“So, going back to my request to the law keepers, if you see any individual who may be showing behaviour that might be suspected of having a mental illness, I request you that the Mental Health Act 2010 says, and I quote, if police officers see such individuals, you are in a position to bring them to the nearest health facility for evaluation and treatment.”
Citing the Mental Health Act, Dr Singh said police officers and ambulance drivers had the right to bring an individual from the community for assessment and treatment at the nearest health centre.
