A STUDY OF THE BENEFITS OF THE POLICE - SOCIAL WORKERS PARTNERSHIP ON MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE IN AREA 18

This study explores the benefits of collaboration between police officers and social workers in responding to mental health crises in Area 18, Lilongwe, Malawi. The research addresses the critical question of how police–social worker partnerships can improve the quality of crisis response, enhance support for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, and strengthen community trust in mental health services. In Malawi, police officers frequently serve as the first responders to mental health-related incidents, yet they often lack specialized training and resources to manage such situations effectively, particularly within low-resource settings. This gap underscores the need for integrated and collaborative response models.

A review of existing literature highlights that, globally, law enforcement personnel are commonly the first point of contact during mental health crises but are typically not adequately prepared for therapeutic intervention. Evidence from high-income countries demonstrates that integrated response models, such as Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), have proven effective in improving crisis outcomes, reducing unnecessary arrests, and minimizing the use of force. However, there remains limited empirical research on the applicability and effectiveness of such collaborative models within the Malawian context, where mental health stigma, institutional limitations, and resource constraints persist.

The study adopted a qualitative research design, employing purposive sampling to select 25 participants drawn from police officers, social workers, caregivers, and community members. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework. This approach enabled an in-depth exploration of participant experiences, perceptions, and expectations regarding police–social worker collaboration in mental health crisis response.

Findings reveal that police officers are routinely the default first responders to mental health emergencies but often rely on containment and transportation strategies rather than therapeutic interventions due to limited training and resources. Participants across all stakeholder groups strongly supported the integration of social workers into crisis response teams, citing anticipated benefits such as improved de-escalation techniques, reduced use of force, enhanced referral pathways to mental health services, and increased community trust. Despite these perceived benefits, several challenges were identified, including inadequate funding, absence of formal policy frameworks, professional culture differences between police and social workers, and persistent mental health stigma within communities.

The study concludes that establishing a formalized police–social worker partnership is both beneficial and necessary for strengthening mental health crisis response in Malawi. It recommends the development of national policies to support collaborative practice, the implementation of joint training programs, the introduction of pilot co-response teams, and the promotion of public awareness initiatives aimed at reducing stigma and improving community engagement. Such measures are essential for building a more humane, effective, and trusted mental health crisis response system.