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<p>Understanding how individuals with mental illness experience interactions with police officers provides essential insight for improving crisis response policy and practice. This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of thirteen adults in Canada who encountered police during mental health crises. Using grounded theory, in-depth interviews were analyzed to identify patterns of fear, powerlessness, and stigma, as well as moments of empathy and support. Participants described their experiences as shaped by officers’ communication styles, perceived respect, and the balance of control during encounters. Positive experiences were associated with empathy, patience, and collaboration, while negative experiences often reflected coercion and a lack of understanding of mental illness. The findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed, person-centered, and de-escalation-based approaches within policing. Policy implications include the expansion of joint police–mental health response models and the integration of mental health training into standard police education. This study contributes to evidence-based discussions on police reform and the advancement of humane crisis intervention strategies.</p>

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Experiences of People with Mental Illness During Police Encounters in Canada

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月3日

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  • Sarah Faubert

摘要

Understanding how individuals with mental illness experience interactions with police officers provides essential insight for improving crisis response policy and practice. This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of thirteen adults in Canada who encountered police during mental health crises. Using grounded theory, in-depth interviews were analyzed to identify patterns of fear, powerlessness, and stigma, as well as moments of empathy and support. Participants described their experiences as shaped by officers’ communication styles, perceived respect, and the balance of control during encounters. Positive experiences were associated with empathy, patience, and collaboration, while negative experiences often reflected coercion and a lack of understanding of mental illness. The findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed, person-centered, and de-escalation-based approaches within policing. Policy implications include the expansion of joint police–mental health response models and the integration of mental health training into standard police education. This study contributes to evidence-based discussions on police reform and the advancement of humane crisis intervention strategies.