Unit:
Κατεύθυνση ΨυχιατροδικαστικήLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Siouti Giannoula
Zeimpeki Marianthi
Supervisors info:
Οικονόμου Μαρίνα, Αναπλ. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Δουζένης Αθανάσιος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική, ΕΚΠΑ
Γουρνέλλης Ρωσσέτος, Αναπλ. Καθηγητής, Ιατρική ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Ακούσια νοσηλεία ατόμων με ψυχική ασθένεια: Η εμπλοκή και η στάση της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας
Translated title:
Involuntary hospitalization: The involment and the attitudes of pollice officers in Greece
Summary:
Over the last decades there are significant changes in the research and the practice related with the contact of police officers with people in mental distress and the management of the respective incidents, understanding the need for the better preparation of police officers and specific techniques of practice. In Greece according to existing laws the most common contacts of police officers with people suffering from mental disease, are found in the case of being arrested for involuntary hospitalization.
A total of 150 police officers participated in the research, who serve in various police departments of the city of Athens. The police officers’ participation in the research was voluntary, after the respective permission provided by the Police Headquarters, while the unique criterion for the sample’s selection was the involvement of the police officers in the management of incidents with people in mental distress. The aim of this research is the best possible protection of all individuals involved, the reduction of the stigma that accompanies mental health problems and the combat of mental disorders criminalization.
The most important categories that this study focuses on are: the way the officers conduct with the exactice of involuntary hospitalization, their attitudes towards mental disease, while they emphasise in some problems and restrictions that they face in practice, underlining the respective changes which they think that should be introduced.
Apart from the lack of relevant training which complicates dealing with incidents of this type, the lack of cooperation with other public healthcare services involved -especially with the National Emergency Aid Centre-, renders more obstacles in police action. On the other hand based on examples of many countries it has been demonstrated that the use of educational intervention programs reduces the occurrence of these incidents, the number of people with mental disorders facing trouble with justice and enhances police officers’ efficiency when dealing with similar situations.
However, what is encouraging is the fact that under no circumstances do the Greek policemen reflect extremely prejudiced opinions against people in need of psychiatric help, with the majority of them maintaining a moderate attitude towards the issue.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Police, Involuntary hospitalization, Attitudes, Stigma, Management
Number of references:
112
