CLEVELAND Police have been promoting mental health awareness week to highlight mental health issues and help improve services.

The special week, named ‘Be Mindful’, highlights the steps that the police and other services have taken in order to protect vulnerable people they come into contact with.

Police, health services, the courts, probation and housing providers have been working together to help people with mental health issues, and a Tees-wide crisis-care action plan has been implemented.

This includes a dedicated team of NHS staff based within police custody called the Liaison and Diversion service (L&D), who support vulnerable individuals with problems such as learning difficulties and mental health issues through the justice system.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Barry Coppinger said that one of the priorities within the current Police and Crime Plan is to prevent people from offending with a focus on rehabilitation and prevention.

He said: “The Liaison and Diversion service has also helped people with financial or accommodation needs and education, employment or training requirements.

“Taking this holistic approach to helping vulnerable people not only benefits them, but the agencies supporting them and the wider community.

“Over 1,770 adults and 268 young people engaged with L&D services in the last 12 months.

“I’m sure we will continue to see success in this area.”