New Mental Health Crisis Protocols

Victoria is introducing new protocols for responding to people experiencing a mental health crisis, with a greater emphasis on health-led care.

The Mental Health Crisis Response Protocols set out arrangements for Victoria Police, Protective Services Officers, Ambulance Victoria paramedics, mental health clinicians and other health professionals when responding to mental health incidents.

Under the protocols, police and PSOs are expected to support a health-led response wherever possible, working with health services and Ambulance Victoria and considering clinical advice about a person’s mental health and level of risk.

Police will continue to have a role in responding to incidents where their involvement is required.

The protocols also place greater emphasis on using less restrictive forms of transport for people experiencing mental illness when it is considered safe and reasonably available.

Depending on the circumstances, transport could involve family or carers, mental health services, non-emergency patient transport or an ambulance.

Improved Coordination Between Bodies Expected 

Ambulance Victoria currently responds to more than 60,000 mental health-related cases each year, including about 25,000 cases where police also respond.

The protocols have been jointly signed by the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police.

The state has also allocated $5.5 million in the 2026-27 Victorian Budget for mental health crisis responses.

The funding includes trials of expanded models of care and continuation of the TelePROMPT program, which provides access to mental health care through Triple Zero.

The changes are intended to increase coordination between emergency services and health professionals while reducing unnecessary police involvement in cases that can be managed primarily through the health system.