The tragedy of ignorance: why training and awareness are crucial for mental health

Recently, a tragic event unfolded where a man experiencing psychosis was shot and killed by police officers. Ironically, the man had reached out to the police himself, knowing he needed help. Unfortunately, this situation escalated into a fatal confrontation, shedding light on the gaps in training and understanding when it comes to handling mental health crises.

What if …

The newspaper’s headline was “Police shoot aggressive man dead at a hospital in Dendermonde”. Now, consider if the individual had been a woman or a person from a different ethnic background (without psychosis) who acted in a way the police did not understand — would the outcome or public reaction have been the same? Likely not. Society’s biases often shape how we respond to people who “don’t fit the norm.” This tragic incident raises important questions about unconscious biases, especially when it comes to dealing with people in mental health crises or neurodivergencies. For example, in the USA, black autistic men who have a meltdown or are stimming are also perceived by the American police as aggressive. Discrimination often plays an unspoken role in these situations, compounding the challenges people face.

Understanding psychosis: a call for better mental health training

Psychiatrist Kirsten Catthoor emphasizes the need for better collaboration between mental health services and the police. People experiencing psychosis are in a vulnerable state, where hallucinations, delusions, and heightened emotional sensitivity can lead to unpredictable behaviour. Unfortunately, when first responders lack the proper training, these situations can escalate unnecessarily. This case illustrates how crucial it is for police and public services to receive specialized training on how to de-escalate situations involving mental health issues.

Programs like the rapid response teams in Antwerp, where police officers are trained specifically to handle cases involving mental health problems, have shown promise. Such initiatives save lives, and more importantly, they demonstrate that a compassionate, informed response is possible with the right training.

Addressing bias and discrimination: a broader societal challenge

In addition to collaborating with mental health services, it is also crucial to make first carers more aware of neurodiversity and neuro-inclusion. Hence, they are aware of any unconscious biases they might have. We must also confront the systemic biases that influence decision-making in crisis situations. Whether consciously or unconsciously, biases based on factors like race, gender, or appearance play a role in how authorities perceive and respond to individuals in crisis. When people behave differently—particularly in a psychotic episode or a meltdown—they are often seen as dangerous. This bias is even more profound when the individual in question doesn’t conform to societal norms regarding who is considered vulnerable.

We cannot ignore the fact that discrimination, whether intentional or not, exacerbates already tense situations. It’s essential that public services—especially law enforcement—are trained not only in mental health crisis intervention but also in neurodiversity and recognizing and addressing these biases.

Mental health and neurodiversity in the workplace: the overlooked side of safety

The importance of mental health and neurodiversity awareness doesn’t stop with public services. In the workplace, many companies focus heavily on physical safety or physical disabilities, especially those with Health, Security & Environment (HSE) teams. However, mental health and neurodiversity often get left behind or forgotten.

This is a missed opportunity. Supporting mental well-being and neurodiversity in the workplace is just as critical as addressing physical safety. Companies should ask themselves: Is our team equipped to handle mental health challenges and neurodiversity among employees? Are we providing the resources and training necessary to create a healthy, supportive, neuro-inclusive work environment?

A call to action: prioritizing mental health and equity

If we want to prevent tragedies like the one in Dendermonde, we need to prioritize mental health and neurodiversity training at all levels of society. This applies not just to police forces but also to workplaces, schools, and communities. We must commit to recognizing and addressing both mental health and neurodiversity needs and the biases that prevent people from receiving the care they deserve or developing their full potential.