A mother's pain: What the authorities say

Nigel Dixon's mum, Sue, talks about her tough job being his mum. PHOTO STEPHEN PARKER

WHAT THE POLICE SAY

Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne responds:

What do the police do in situations like this when someone has a mental illness and are considered dangerous yet don't break the law to the extent where they can be held in custody? How can they keep the public safe within the law?

Rotorua police have a psychiatric nurse who is embedded in the custody facility and assists the police with mental health assessments and risk management of arrested people. In cases where police suspect an arrested person is suffering from a mental health problem, police can access support from the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET) who are available 24 hours a day to assist with high risk cases and risk assessment.

Mrs Dixon was told by police to get a trespass order and they would keep him in custody if he could not supply another good bail address. She did this and he was arrested on December 22 but was released on December 24, the same day as his crimewave started. Why was he let out?

An alternative bail address was provided.

Whenever he was arrested, police told Mrs Dixon Nigel would be assessed by a psych nurse. Did this ever happen?

On December 23 while he was in our custody we had him assessed by the Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET).

What advice do the police have to family members going through the same situation? How can they keep themselves and those around them safe from people with mental illnesses?

Dealing with acute psychiatric illness is always challenging, and often stressful, for the families involved. It is therefore important to seek advice and support from medical professionals, including your GP and mental health professionals.

WHAT LAKES DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD SAYS

Communications spokeswoman Sue Wilkie responds:

Sue Dixon rang the PET Team one night when Nigel was really unwell but was told it was a police issue. When can the PET team be called?

The Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET) is a fully mobile service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to people experiencing a serious mental health crisis and for whom there are urgent safety issues.

The team members are experienced mental health professionals who usually act as the first point of contact for people experiencing a serious mental health crisis.

If there is an issue of violence or the situation looks as though it will escalate to violence, the PET team is unable to attend, and the police should be called in the first instance.

Can family members ask mental health agencies to take away their family members if they believe they are unwell and dangerous?

Family members can make this request. However, there are a number of steps and legal requirements that need to be worked through before anyone can be considered for admission to hospital.

These legal requirements are clearly laid out under the Mental Health Act, and the PET team members can help guide families through this process if it is found to be necessary.

How can they go about doing this?

The DHB does encourage families to take an unwell member to their GP as the first point of call. As stated the GP often refers a seriously mentally unwell patient through to the PET team. If the timing doesn't allow a consultation with your family doctor, then the PET team should be contacted. Phone 0800 166 167.

Has the mental health team noticed an increase in drug-enhanced schizophrenia over the years?

It has been noted by the team that there has been an increase in the use of methamphetamine and synthetic cannabis.