Dyfed-Powys Police is re-affirming a commitment to ensuring that people in mental health crises receive the right care, from the right service and at the right time.

The force launched its Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy on May 5, which sets out an ongoing commitment to deliver a compassionate, evidence-led and partnership focussed response to mental health and suicide prevention.

Superintendent Chris Neve, along with Sian Rees, Mental Health Suicide and Self-Harm Coordinator, initiated the strategy at force HQ in Llangunnor.

They were joined by the Chief Constable Ifan Charles, Police & Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llewellyn, T/ Assistant Chief Constable Ross Evans, as well as several officers from across the force.

People with lived experiences of mental ill-health and suicide bereavement - including families and force staff members - will be involved in the ongoing work, which will assist in ensuring that best practices are shaped by their feedback.

Superintendent Neve, Head of Prevention at Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is committed to reducing the number of preventable deaths by suicide and serious self-harm and improving our policing response to mental health crises.

“We care deeply that individuals who are experiencing a crisis receive the right support, but we do accept that police officers are not mental health professionals.Although we will continue to play a vital safeguarding role, there are times where other agencies are a more appropriate support network for individuals experiencing ill-mental health.

“This is why we are launching this strategy, which runs until 2030, because each call for assistance requires a multi-agency approach so that each individual can get the best tailored help possible.

“Mental health and suicide prevention are central to our goal of keeping communities safe, all while ensuring that our workforce is supported, resilient and able to deliver high quality policing.”

Sian Rees, Mental Health Suicide and Self Harm Co-ordinator at Dyfed-Powys Police said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved in the force over the past five years and none of that would have been possible without the excellent joint working that happens between DPP and partners.

“No agency or organisation can work alone in this field, therefore strong partnership working is essential and is what ultimately helps the person in crisis.

“There will be constant learning and improvement, but we also must acknowledge that our officers do some amazing work to safeguard the most vulnerable persons in our communities.”

The new Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy can be found online

Anyone who experiences mental health crisis, or knows of someone else who is, can contact the NHS via the 111 number and then select option 2.

In addition, you can contact other support networks like Samaritans, Papyrus, or the ‘Call’ mental health line.

If there is an urgent safeguarding or immediate risk please call 999 and request appropriate assistance.