Latest news with #MentalHealthAct
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Woman pepper sprayed by police during mental health welfare check says officers 'should have just left'
A woman who is suing the State of NSW over the actions of police officers who pepper sprayed her during a welfare check has insisted she did not act aggressively towards them "in any way". Police attended the then-48-year-old's Western Sydney home in September 2021 after they were alerted to a reference to self harm she made on the phone to an insurance company. The NSW District Court has heard that after being told she may be liable for $150,000 in damages from a police pursuit involving her son, she told a representative words to the effect of "I might as well just kill myself". But she has given evidence that she called back and told the representative she did not mean it. In footage from police body-worn cameras, the officers are heard telling the woman's ex-partner, who was at the house at the time, that they might need to take her to hospital under the Mental Health Act. They tell the man that if they are not able to speak with her at the door, they will force entry. The woman's lawyers say that from a balcony above, she had told them she was fine and to "f*** off". Some officers entered by kicking the front door, while others scaled the balcony and went in through an unlocked bedroom, tasering her American Staffy. That began a search which ultimately lasted for some 45 minutes and at one point involved a police helicopter. The court heard she had run through a back door and was hiding in a neighbour's garden shed. In defence documents, the State argues "no more than reasonable force was used during and following the plaintiff's detention", and barrister Matthew Gollan has told the judge the officers held a genuine belief the woman may have attempted to kill or injure herself. Today, he cross-examined the plaintiff about the immediate lead-up to a burst of pepper spray — which was not recorded on the bodycam footage. "Before the spray was used, when you pushed open the [shed] door, did you do that because you wanted to hide somewhere else?" he asked. "No, I think I went into distress … I just wanted to be left alone, I was not suicidal in any way," the woman replied. When asked whether police told her to get on the ground, she replied: "I think so". Mr Gollan: "And you didn't?" Plaintiff: "I don't recall that, I don't remember that." Mr Gollan: "You stood your ground, somewhat defiantly?" Plaintiff: "I was never aggressive to them." Mr Gollan: "You weren't responsive to them, were you?" Plaintiff: "Because I was in distress." Mr Gollan: "You defiantly stood your ground, didn't you?" Plaintiff: "No, I didn't." During the cross-examination, the woman said that to have multiple police officers and a helicopter involved in the incident meant "all my neighbours looked at me like I was a murderer". "Someone with mental health [issues], and you're supposed to trust the people in blue, why would they pepper spray me?" she said. The woman has also expressed that she was fearful of police as a result of previous interactions, and felt that they had not "helped me much". Large parts of the cross-examination involved detailed questions about the woman's mental health, which she said she was aware of as an issue since 2016. But she told the judge that before the welfare check incident: "I was pretty good, like I was sad, but I was pretty good". Mr Gollan suggested that as early as 2016, she had been urged to seek psychiatric help, but she disagreed that she had ever received a referral. The hearing continues on Thursday.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Hospital arrangements made for 'flagrantly unwell' man accused of St Patrick's Day disturbance in Cork
A 36-year-old man who was described as 'flagrantly unwell' had his case adjourned again on Monday for arrangements to be made for his admission for hospital treatment. The case against Mbuku Desire who was living at an apartment at Clonliffe Road, Dublin, came to light arising out of a report of him causing a disturbance at Little Island on St Patrick's Day. On the application of Sergeant Gearóid Davis, Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail to July 31 for update in relation to the defendant's treatment and for an updated psychiatric report. It was previously alleged that gardaí were attempting to arrest a man on the busy platform of Little Island's railway station on March 17 when he ran through the crowd to get away from them. Garda Mary Gallagher charged 36-year-old Mbuku Desire with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace. Garda Gallagher said the alleged incident occurred at Little Island train station at Kilcoolishal, Glounthaune, County Cork, on St Patrick's Day. It was alleged that he ran along the railway platform at a time when it was busy with a lot of families out for the parades and celebrations. As well as the public order charge the defendant was charged under the Immigration Act with failing to produce on demand to a member of An Garda Síochána a valid passport or other equivalent document establishing his identity and nationality. Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, said the defendant is a national of the Republic of Congo. Advanced nurse practitioner from the forensic psychiatric team at Clover Hill Prison, Philip Hickey, testified last month in relation to therapeutic bail when a person is stuck in the prison system with a mental disorder. The nature of such bail is that a person is brought by prison staff to a centre approved under the Mental Health Act as soon as a bed becomes available and is then returned by prison staff to prison following his treatment. In the present case, the availability of a bed is still awaited.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Mom Captures Moment With Newborn—Not Knowing Days Later She'll Be Sectioned
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A U.K. mom captured a happy moment with her baby, not knowing that, days later, she would be sectioned. Jade Lloyd (@jadealloyd) posted a reel on Instagram smiling and playing with her newborn daughter, but, behind the scenes, the 31-year-old was falling apart. Lloyd told Newsweek that she had struggled mentally after giving birth. At her six-week checkup, she tried to speak out, but her doctor didn't take any notice. From left: Jade Lloyd holds her baby daughter while standing up. From left: Jade Lloyd holds her baby daughter while standing up. @jadealloyd "It got progressively worse, which then started to turn into suicidal thoughts," Lloyd said. After finally receiving a diagnosis of postnatal depression and being prescribed antidepressants, Lloyd felt pressure to appear as if she were improving. "[I] started putting on a front, although, inside, I was falling apart," Lloyd said. "I was trying to hold it together until my brain couldn't handle it anymore, and it turned into psychosis." Sleep deprivation, she was later told by clinicians, likely contributed to the onset of acute psychosis. "Over the period of a week, I probably slept a total of 10 hours," Lloyd added. Lloyd was sectioned under the U.K.'s Mental Health Act and was admitted to a Mother and Baby Unit—a specialist facility where mothers can receive psychiatric care while staying with their infants. "Initially, [it] felt like a prison, and, when I was sectioned, it meant I was unable to leave," Lloyd said. "My daughter and I were able to stay together, which was vital for my recovery, as I kept thinking I had killed her. I couldn't imagine what it would have been like if I wasn't able to be with her." Despite facing challenges during her stay, Lloyd said that her experience was positive overall, and she praised the staff who worked there. "They listened, cared for myself and my daughter, and gave me space to heal. I will be forever grateful for them," she said. Following her release after a month, Lloyd struggled with depression and found it difficult even to get out of bed. Given that she wasn't permitted to drive for three months, Lloyd felt isolated in her small town. Thankfully, friends and family rallied around to help her find a way forward. "Now I would say I'm in the best place I've been," Lloyd said. "I go back and volunteer [at the Mother and Baby Unit] and do the moms' nails. It's healing and rewarding at the same time." Lloyd has also built an online platform to raise awareness and support others. "The response has been positive, and I hope to grow this and go on to do more advocacy work to help better maternal care for mental health," Lloyd said. To mothers who might be struggling, Lloyd offered this message: "Whether you've just given birth, or you are three years into your motherhood journey, you are doing amazing. "Even if you're struggling with your mental health and you're just scraping by every single day, know that you are enough for your baby, and nothing can change that. "There is light out there, and if you are in the darkness, there is a way out. It takes time and work, but you've got this," Lloyd said.
The Province
6 days ago
- The Province
Man, 45, charged with child abandonment in 2024 Canada Day incident in Whistler
Jason Frost was allegedly involved in a 'high-risk' incident at a Whistler hotel on July 1, 2024 Photo by Postmedia News A 45-year-old man has been charged with child abandonment after a high-profile incident a year ago at a hotel in Whistler. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Sea to Sky RCMP were called to the hotel on the village stroll in Whistler just after 7 p.m. on July 1 about a disturbance. Bystanders told police 'they could see a male holding a child over a balcony, (while) a female could be heard screaming and damage was occurring inside the hotel,' said Const. Antoine Graebling in a news release Thursday. The man and woman were apprehended under the Mental Health Act and the child received medical care. Late last month, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved a charge of abandoning a child and one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life against Jason Frost, who isn't a Whistler resident. 'This was a highly visible event as Whistler was in the midst of its Canada Day celebrations,' said Graebling. 'We recognize the impact the incident had on individuals who witnessed this unfold in our community that day.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Graebling said investigators are 'incredibly thankful for the multiple witnesses that alerted the RCMP, which enabled our officers to act swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation.' 'Their co-operation and actions were key that day in saving a child's life.' Graebling said no more details are being released now that the case is headed to court but noted that it's a reminder that the 'welfare and well-being of children and youth is a community responsibility.' Police urge everyone to be alert for the signs of abuse and neglect and to consult Child Protection Services B.C. for information on how to report potential cases. Anyone who has reason to believe a child or youth is being abused or neglected and that the parent or guardian is unwilling or unable to protect them must report it to the Children and Family Development Ministry at 1-800-663-9122. If there is immediate danger call 911. If you're a child or youth and would like to talk to someone, call 310-1234. jruttle@ Read More News World Sports News News
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Man, 45, charged with child abandonment in 2024 Canada Day incident in Whistler
A 45-year-old man has been charged with child abandonment after a high-profile incident a year ago at a hotel in Whistler. Sea to Sky RCMP were called to the hotel on the village stroll in Whistler just after 7 p.m. on July 1 about a disturbance. Bystanders told police 'they could see a male holding a child over a balcony, (while) a female could be heard screaming and damage was occurring inside the hotel,' said Const. Antoine Graebling in a news release Thursday. The man and woman were apprehended under the Mental Health Act and the child received medical care. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Late last month, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved a charge of abandoning a child and one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life against Jason Frost, who is not a Whistler resident. 'This was a highly visible event as Whistler was in the midst of its Canada Day celebrations,' said Graebling. 'We recognize the impact the incident had on individuals who witnessed this unfold in our community that day.' Graebling said investigators are 'incredibly thankful for the multiple witnesses that alerted the RCMP, which enabled our officers to act swiftly and professionally in managing this high-risk situation. 'Their co-operation and actions were key that day in saving a child's life.' Graebling said no more details are being released now that the case is headed to court, but noted that it's a reminder that the 'welfare and well-being of children and youth is a community responsibility.' Police urge everyone to be alert for the signs of abuse and neglect and to consult Child Protection Services B.C. for information on how to report potential cases. Anyone who has reason to believe a child or youth is being abused or neglected and that the parent or guardian is unwilling or unable to protect them must report it to the Ministry of Children and Family Development at 1-800-663-9122. If there is an immediate danger, call 911. If you are a child or youth and would like to talk to someone, call 310-1234. jruttle@
