PACER

PACER (Police, Ambulance & Clinician Early Response)

PACER is a collaboration that strives to provide an all inclusive response to people with mental illness or disorder.

Where police would traditionally be the first responders to a mental health call-out, the PACER capability provides a more holistic mental health response to the Canberra community’s most vulnerable mental health patients. The team operates 7-days a week and includes a paramedic, clinician and police officer working together to attend call outs requiring a specialist mental health response.

This model aims to create a safer, more dignified platform for providing emergency mental health intervention by offering therapeutic, least restrictive options for patients.

This model not only empowers patients by allowing them to actively take part in making informed decisions about their health and care, but it has also shown tangible results including:

• An increase in patients being linked in with appropriate mental health and support services
• A reduction in use of force incidents involving mental health patients
• A reduction in hospital presentations and involuntary admissions
• A decrease in the demand on front-line emergency resources

Need support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, police assistance may be required but it is preferable that health professionals are involved in the process.

Access Mental Health is available 24/7 on 1800 629 354 or (02) 6205 1065 and can assist by providing information, advice and support as well as direct access to mental health services where required.

In the event of a life threatening mental health emergency, you should call police on Triple Zero (000).

Need to talk?

If you are experiencing a personal crisis the following help lines are available 24/7.

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78