Mental Health and Fire Risk- A Case for Closer Engagement? Heather Hurford and Dave Smithson

Mental ill health – the scale of the problem Mental health affects everyone 1 in 6 of the population will need help Average reduced life expectancy of 10 years Over 50% those with addictions have mental health problems Total cost of mental health problems in England = £77 billion

Myth Fact People with mh problems are dangerous Lethargy/loss of interest = normal part of ageing Troubled youth just need more discipline There’s not much you can do about mh problems You can recognise someone with mh problems x more likely to be victim All signs of depression >90% imprisoned young offenders have mh problems Range of interventions can help Mental ill health – nature of the problem

What do mental health problems look like?

Mental health – key policy New Horizons – cross government programme:  Improve mental health and wellbeing of population  Improve quality & accessibility of services for people with poor mental health Care Programme Approach – complex care coordination of multiple agencies National Dementia Strategy –identification, early intervention and quality of service to improve Bradley Report – highlights need for stronger links between police and mental health services

Mental health and fire 90% people convicted of arson had record of mental health problems 36% of these had psychotic illnesses 64% were abusing alcohol or drugs at the time Learning disability significant – index offence arson associated with hospital admission Criminal damage (mostly arson) precedes 14% admissions of mentally disordered offenders Smoking rates twice those in general population

6/11/2016 The Scale of the Issue 211 fire deaths collated from 6 FRS 75% (28/37) had a recorded history of mental health problems at inquest 39% (68/174) were known to Mental Health Trusts Ref. CP

6/11/2016 Why haven’t we picked up on this before? No obvious external indicators Stigma Challenges in targeting those at risk

6/11/2016 Why are the numbers so high? Smoking Alcohol/drugs Physical mobility Living alone Chaotic lifestyles Risk perception

6/11/2016 Fire Setting High prevalence of fire setters 90% of arsonists have a history of mental health problems (Ritchie and Huff 1999) 80 suicides by fire, smoke and fumes

6/11/2016 Fire Service – key policy National Framework Document FRS Act 2004 CAA Safe Guarding Vulnerable Groups Act

6/11/2016 Key Principles for the Mental Health and Fire Service Prevention agenda Early intervention Partnership Outcome focused Engage with the most vulnerable

6/11/2016 Solutions? Recognition within national policy Local SLA’s Reciprocal awareness training Data sharing Signposting Joint risk management

6/11/2016 Any Questions?