Canterbury police officers are responding to a "scary" amount of increased amount of suicide related calls - and police believe it's related to the threat of earthquakes.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price says the year-on-year increase is "way, way out of kilter" with the national picture, Stuff reports.
He also believes there is "no doubt it was related to the earthquakes".
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Over the past year, there were 50,000 calls nationwide to police triggered by mental health-related incidents - and experts say that's a crisis that police need help with.
National has accused the Government of dumping a groundbreaking plan to tackle the issue head-on.
Under an $8 million proposal, mental health nurses would provide dedicated support to police officers on the frontline, it claims.
National says that's now been axed by Labour - but Health Minister David Clark told The Project that they're plain wrong, as there never was such a plan in place.
He added that it is a higher priority now than it ever was for the previous Government.
Police Association President Chris Cahill told The Project on Monday night that he believes officers shouldn't be the first port of call, as they're not experts in mental health.
"The idea of police being the solution isn't really the answer at all - they can only really be that ambulance at the bottom of the cliff," he explained.
In the last four years, there has been a 50 percent increase in reports of threatening to commit suicide or attempting suicide, Mr Cahill says.
"We just can't cope with that sort of demand without some sort of help."
Police officers receive four hours of training in dealing with mental health callouts, he says - and to give them more training would be good, but would also take officers away from dealing to other incidents.
Where to find help and support:
- Free call or text 1737
- Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Healthline 0800 611 116
- Samaritans 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Mental Health Foundation
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