Urgent need for psychiatric emergency services in Faroe Islands

It has been noted that individuals with severe mental health issues sometimes spend the night in police custody because of their condition. Sten Nørskov, a chief police inspector, emphasized that a doctor always assesses whether the person is stable enough to remain in custody or needs to be hospitalized.

For several years, there has been discussion about the need for a psychiatric emergency unit in the Faroe Islands, where individuals can receive help outside of regular office hours. However, such a facility has yet to be established.

Earlier this year, a political solution was proposed to expand the on-call doctor service with a phone line to the psychiatric department. Nonetheless, reports continue to emerge of individuals who are in such dire mental states that police have to send specialized officers to assist them.

We asked Sten Nørskov about the procedures police follow when responding to individuals in severe mental distress who pose a risk to themselves or others.

The need for improved mental health services in the Faroe Islands remains urgent, as many individuals struggle to find appropriate care when they need it most.