- April 16, 2025
- Posted by: Colm Hurley
- Category: News
The CAST project in Limerick aims to support people experiencing a mental health crisis or situational trauma through a collaborative response by An Garda Síochána and HSE Mental Health Services. In this article, Con Barry, Solicitor and Celine Murray, Trainee Solicitor examine the operation of CAST in Limerick and what it has achieved for mental health support in Limerick.
What is CAST?
CAST is a pilot initiative which is aimed at assisting people experiencing a mental health crisis or situational trauma. The first of its kind in Ireland, this initiative focuses on intervention, prevention and outreach to yield better outcomes for these individuals.
The project, which was launched in Limerick on the 7th October 2024, is a partnership between An Garda Síochána and HSE Mid-West Mental Health Services with backing from the Departments of Justice and Health. It is being trialled by the Limerick Garda Division based at Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick City.
The CAST project is based on significant international evidence and experience demonstrating improved outcomes for adults requiring the intervention of a policing response at times of a mental health crisis or situational trauma.
The CAST team is staffed by HSE Mid-West Mental Health professionals and members of An Garda Siochána working collaboratively at Henry Street Garda Station and includes:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Social Care Worker
- Senior Social Work Practitioner
- Sergeant (Community Planning)
- Two Gardaí (Vulnerability Navigator)
- Administrative Support
Prior to CAST’s launch, Gardaí in Limerick undertook training courses focusing primarily on this CAST initiative, and as a result, there are 60 Gardaí with specialist training in the Limerick Division qualified to deal with mental health incidents.
The approach of the CAST team is trauma-informed, recognising that a significant proportion of service users have had trauma in their lives, which is often a root cause of their presentation.
Operation of CAST
The CAST project comprises two modes of delivery to support these individuals within Limerick Garda Division as follows:
- Crisis Response: A co-response model has been adopted. This requires An Garda Síochána to collaborate with HSE Mid-West Mental Health Services when responding to 999 calls for suspected crisis mental health situations. The on-scene crisis response involves trained members of An Garda Síochána working together with their existing operational unit and supported by an assigned Clinical Nurse Specialist and other members of the CAST Team.
In addition to responding to calls, the CAST team follow up on previous callouts and provide ongoing intervention to the individuals based on the needs identified during the co-response. They also link in with external agencies and reach out to homeless and addiction services where necessary.
- Community Support Forum: An important part of the project involves the establishment of a Multi-Agency Support Forum in Limerick. The forum is comprised of identified statutory agencies and approved support services, chaired by an independent representative from Limerick City and County Council. This forum meets monthly to develop integrated approaches when working with individuals in crisis ensuring coordinated and comprehensive support.
The operation of the CAST project will be evaluated in partnership with the University of Limerick. Their assessment will be vital in determining how the CAST project is progressing, it’s effectiveness and whether the project’s design could be improved.
What will the CAST project achieve?
By delivering support at the right time, right place and with the appropriate service, the CAST project aims to achieve the following:
- To provide a compassionate and effective response to people in distress and offering the right support when it is most needed, thereby creating a better experience for both the people and their families.
- To enhance partnership between those in healthcare and policing.
- To reduce admissions to the Emergency Department and acute presentations by directing individuals to a more appropriate service.
- To reduce the number of persons detained under the Mental Health Act 2001.
- To increase the utility of crime diversion.
- To promote recovery and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
- To reduce the likelihood of future offending by diverting this group of individuals away from the criminal justice system and towards the healthcare system.
- To improve officers’ confidence and skills in responding to people with mental illness.
Conclusion
The early success of the CAST project in Limerick highlights a promising opportunity for it to be potentially expanded to other parts of Ireland, including Cork and Dublin.
The benefits of expanding such a project would include:
- Alleviating pressure from hospitals and emergency services nationwide by providing a specialised crisis response.
- Diverting people from hospitalisation where alternative care is available and more appropriate.
- Ensuring that Gardaí in any county who are called to deal with a mental health crisis have specialised training and experience to manage such a situation.
- Promoting collaboration between the Gardaí and mental health professionals across the country.
- Offering mental health support as opposed to criminal justice intervention.
- Providing early intervention to reduce long-term mental health deterioration.
As the CAST project encourages meaningful collaboration between Gardaí and HSE Mental Health Services, it is laying the groundwork for a more compassionate, coordinated response to mental health crises. If this initiative was rolled out nationwide, it would play a pivotal role in how we approach mental health in Ireland, by offering timely and effective care to vulnerable members of our society, whilst also ensuring safer and healthier communities.