Mental health outreach and street policing in the downtown of a large French city.

摘要: Abstract Context Marseille, the second largest city in France, has a large population of homeless persons. A mental health outreach team was created 2005 as response to high rates illness among this group. In national political context where security is government priority, new central police station Marseille 2006 address robberies, violence and illegal traffic downtown area city. While not directly related such crimes, also are responsible for public safety or behavioral issues presence individuals who area. Objective This report on two-year pilot study (2009–2011) addresses collaborative work between department responding clinical needs persons with serious psychiatric disorders. It describes persons' interactions with, perceptions of, professionals streets. Methods Investigators adopted mixed-methods approach. Data were collected 40 using brief standardized each interaction. Focus groups conducted officers, members, peer workers, service users. Minutes partnership meetings officers workers served source qualitative data. Results Outreach initiated just over half (n = 21) encounters (n = 40) workers. Interactions mainly involved psychosis (77%), vast majority (80%) which an acute phase psychosis. Two key themes that emerged from data analysis included violent nature life streets percentage ethnic minorities subjects interactions. addition, it found practices sometimes similar those police, especially when use coercive methods. “Users” (homeless persons) described less coercion than team, noted they more fearful psychiatrists police. Conclusion Formal initiatives teams departments involve some common street practices. demonstrates potential closer working relationships two parties help illnesses receive needed care, reduce inappropriate including involuntary hospitalization arrests.