SECURITY &
POLICING SUPPORT
Over 1 in 3 reported a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for an appointment with their GP or a voluntary/third sector organisation
*Centre for Mental Health October 2025*
Here at The M Word cic we support young people and adults who have a neurodivergent profile who are struggling with poor mental health and/or wish to understand their neurodivergent profile. The more neurodiverse their profile is (e.g. Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD), the more complex their profile is, and they are at increasing risks of poor or deteriorating mental health. There is a need for greater understanding in how to support this group of individuals when it comes to security or policing. It is all too easy to ‘read’ a situation or person presenting in a specific way and to have to make a swift judgement call that later becomes an error of misunderstanding.
Poor mental health can be observed usually first by behaviour but there are more subtle clues when it comes to neurodiverse profiles that involve intense listening of what is being said and not what is said (ie situational mutism). Some individuals are so anxious they may react as verbally and physically aggressive which goes against our zero tolerance, so it is vital that professionals are familiar with reading what is intent and what is anxiety. Whilst many professionals are trained to secure a situation, isolate an individual, or even trained to put individuals to the floor safely – some of these actions can trigger further distress to a neurodiverse individual thereby increasing the risks to all concerned.
The M Word cic is skilled in supporting neurodiverse individuals both from a neurodivergent perspective as well as that of mental ill health or illness and work seamlessly with both. Emotional Problem Solving Ltd provides the research and the training to support professionals acquiring further skills to work with complex situations. If you require further specialist support, please email to liaise directly with Lead Clinician, Lavinia Dowling, a qualified nurse specialist with over 30 years in the nursing industry.
