Interactions between people with mental illness and the police are increasing. A recent review (2004) estimates that between 7-15% of police contacts are with people with mental illness and the frequency of interaction between police and people with mental illness is increasing. In 1998, a CMHA BC Division study found that over 30% of people came into contact with the police during their first experience trying to access mental health care in BC.
The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division has increasingly been focused in this area. In 1999, CMHA participated in a Coroner's Jury investigating the shooting death of a person with mental illness who had had a confrontation with police while seeking mental health care. The jury recommended that police receive training on how to respond more effectively in future situations.