Respect to protect (RTP) – Training protection and security professionals to ensure dignified and respectful treatment of mental health problems.
The starting point of the RTP project is the identified need for training among security and prevention actors (CPSP) to better prevent and respond to situations involving individuals with mental health issues, as the lack of adequate knowledge often leads to increased stigma, discrimination, and social isolation of those affected. The project also aims to ensure that CPSP can address these situations with respect and dignity, while also supporting their own mental well-being to better fulfill their service duties.
The activities will focus on training and awareness, de-escalation strategies, and fostering respectful interactions to promote inclusive and effective responses.
The starting point of the RTP project is the identified need for training among security and prevention actors (CPSP) to better prevent and respond to situations involving individuals with mental health issues, as the lack of adequate knowledge often leads to increased stigma, discrimination, and social isolation of those affected. The project also aims to ensure that CPSP can address these situations with respect and dignity, while also supporting their own mental well-being to better fulfill their service duties.
The activities will focus on training and awareness, de-escalation strategies, and fostering respectful interactions to promote inclusive and effective responses.
The consortium is led by the Fundación Sorapán de Rieros (Spain). It brings together 6 partners: PPHS (Polish Platform for Homeland Security, Poland), Fondazione Progetto Itaca – ETS (Italy), CIAPE – Centro Italiano Per L’apprendimento Permanente (Italy), Innovate Consultoria De Ayudas Publicas S.L (Spain) and Efus.
Associated partners
- ISEM network (Spanish Platform of Entities for the Promotion and Social Inclusion of People with Mental Illness);
- Extremadura Mental Health Network; Polish Law Enforcement Agencies;
- SINALV (Italian National Autonomous Vigilance Workers Union)
- Civil Defense Abruzzo Region
- Associations within the Progetto Itaca network;
- Mental Health Table of the Municipality of Milan;
- FFSU-French Forum for Urban Security
- BEFUS-Belgium Forum for Urban Security
- Premiers Secours en Santé Mental France
Their role will be to gather feedback for the research process, promote active participation of CPSP and people with mental illness, recruit experts for the Board and increase the project’s dissemination.
- Development of a training program directed to CPSP to enable adequate prevention and intervention in situations involving people with mental health issues (either as perpetrators, observers or victims); while also reinforcing CPSP mental health.
- Development of the digital component of the RTP training program through an open e-learning platform with a diverse set of learning resources for CPSP to get familiar with mental health, learn how to handle crisis, emergency and disturbance situations ensuring respect and dignity of people with mental health problems, and taking care of own’s mental wellbeing.
- Development of the face-to-face component of the training program through a practical handbook and guidelines. Based on tailored and experiential learning methodologies
- Production of recommendations for policymakers, security actors and law enforcement governmental agencies
Efus will play a key role in integrating green principles into project activities, contributing to the methodology and research guidelines, and supporting the development of the training program. It will lead research efforts by organising co-creation workshops and expert consultations and will be responsible for the pilot implementation, supervising the online pilot with 30 end-users and the local pilot with 20 CPSP. Additionally, Efus will lead the project outreach and advocacy efforts and develop policy recommendations to ensure long-term impact.
December 2024 – December 2026
Marta Pellón Brussossa – Senior Programme Manager – PellonBrussosa@efus.eu
Vanina Porruncini- Hallab – Department manager – hallab@urbansecurity.org
Co-financed by the European Union. The opinions and views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE). Neither the European Union nor the awarding authority can be held responsible for them
