Suicidal people advised to call Police by health providers

Police say they're getting increasing numbers of calls about attempted suicide - 12,000 in 2013. They're working with the Health Ministry to try to work out why suicidal people are calling the Police, rather than mental health crisis services, or helplines. Agencies on the ground say it's no mystery: Police are more likely to be available - and some crisis services even recommend people at risk of suicide call the police, instead of an emergency mental health service. To find out more, Kathryn speaks to Assistant Police Commissioner, Dave Cliff; Leo McIntyre, the manager of Atareira, the Wellington branch of Supporting Families in Mental Illness New Zealand; and Judi Clements, the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation.