News that Gwent Police is dealing with daily suicide alert calls is just another stark reminder of Wales’ ever-escalating mental health crisis.
More than half of the 999 and 101 phone calls to the force didn’t report crimes, with many calls relating to mental health.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Mental Health, James Evans MS, said:
“We are in the midst of a mental health pandemic here in Wales and people are calling the police for help as they do not know where to turn in their hour of need.
“I cannot stress enough how vital it is that this Labour-led Welsh Government immediately looks at setting up crisis centres, which are open 24/7, to give people suffering the help they need, and also ease the burden on police forces.
“Now that the Senedd has returned after summer recess, Labour ministers should also be focusing on introducing an updated Mental Health Act to replace outdated legislation.”