Policing and community mental health

When? June 19th, 2025, 10am to 3pm

Where? UCL, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, Room C3.09

This one-day conference brings together researchers and practitioners to explore the complex relationship between police interactions and community mental health in the UK. The event comes at the end of an ESRC Early Career Researcher grant focused on examining police interactions with the public and the mental health of individuals frequently in contact with police. Drawing on findings from this multi-method research project, the conference highlights how policing practices are shaped by—and in turn shape—the mental health of individuals and communities.

The morning (10am to 12pm) will feature academic presentations that disseminate key insights from the project, including:

The disproportionate concentration of police activity in communities with high mental health needs
The impact of police encounters on mental health, particularly among young people, individuals experiencing homelessness, and victims of crime
How police officers perceive and navigate their dual roles as enforcers and caregivers
The development of new frameworks to support more compassionate and effective policing approaches

Lunch will be provided during a one-hour break, after which the afternoon session (1pm to 3pm) will focus on practitioner perspectives. These sessions will include reflections from frontline officers, mental health professionals, and cross-sector partners, offering insight into real-world challenges and innovations in responding to mental health crises.