A/Prof. Leanne Payne1,2, Dr Carrick Anderson1, Prof Ed Heffernan1,2
1Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service, Brisbane, Australia, 2School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
Dr Leanne Payne is the Research and Evaluation Manager at Queensland Forensic Mental Health Service, Metro North HHS, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at The University of Queensland. She leads a statewide research and evaluation program across forensic mental health services, with interests in mental health and the justice system, service evaluation, and improving outcomes for people with complex needs. Leanne has published and presented nationally and internationally across forensic, child and adolescent, and public mental health, and is committed to translating research into practice and policy.
Abstract:
Frequent presentations for suicidality and self-harm present ongoing challenges for police and emergency services, requiring responses that balance immediate safety with appropriate mental health care. This study examined the prevalence and profile of people frequently referred to the Queensland Police Communications Centre Mental Health Liaison Service (PCC MHLS). Using referral data from 2022–2024, frequent referrals were defined as three or more within any 12-month period. Of 4,327 individuals referred with suicidality or self-harm, 110 (2.5%) met this criterion, accounting for 8.7% of all referrals. Compared with others, they were more likely to be younger, female, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and had higher rates of recorded mental health diagnoses, substance-use comorbidity, and current engagement with public mental health services. Although numerically small, this group places disproportionate demand on police and mental health services, highlighting opportunities for coordinated, targeted interventions that may improve outcomes, reduce repeat crisis contacts, and support more appropriate health-based responses to people experiencing recurrent mental health crises.