1. Mental Health and Fire Risk- A Case for Closer Engagement? Heather Hurford and Dave Smithson david.smithson@wmfs.net david.smithson@wmfs.net

2. 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

3. 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............ 6x 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

4. What do mental health problems look like?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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. CP81801107

8. 6/11/2016 Why haven’t we picked up on this before? No obvious external indicators Stigma Challenges in targeting those at risk

9. 6/11/2016 Why are the numbers so high? Smoking Alcohol/drugs Physical mobility Living alone Chaotic lifestyles Risk perception

10. 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

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

12. 6/11/2016 Key Principles for the Mental Health and Fire Service Prevention agenda Early intervention Partnership Outcome focused Engage with the most vulnerable

13. 6/11/2016 Solutions? Recognition within national policy Local SLA’s Reciprocal awareness training Data sharing Signposting Joint risk management

14. 6/11/2016 Any Questions?