Do Not Mistake This Uniform for Hostility; It Holds Kindness and Compassion

Spread the Ripple writing prompt for March “how has someone in uniform restored your faith in humanity?”

There’s sometimes an ugly overlap between helping someone with mental health issues through consent and helping them against their will.

Anyone who has witnessed the harrowing side of severe mental health issues understands the need for sectioning powers. This legislation helps those who are a danger to themselves and maybe to others. Sectioning an individual is a last resort. It is a legal process that removes their right to liberty and brings them into care for treatment.

Sectioning sounds barbaric. But it can be done with dignity and compassion.

This is the story of a young police officer finding a human connection and building trust with a terrified mental health service user.

She was known for her propensity to violence, so the mental health officers called the local police for backup. They were on their way to the home of a lady in her early fifties; their mission was to section her under the powers of the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 2003.

Let's call this lady Angela.

The police officers lingered in the background, out of sight. They watched events unfurl through the gap below the door hinge. There was no point in involving themselves if they didn’t need to, as their presence may escalate the situation. They were there just in case.

But just in case was about to happen. The air was electric.

Angela was frantic. The mental health officers tried to use reason. But there was a void between them. They communicated in a business fashion and did nothing to alleviate her evident terror. They didn’t explain the process or provide reassurance. Their own fear was palpable. They kept their distance from Angela, worried she might strike out at any minute.

They did not connect with her on a human level.

Angela’s body stiffened, her back arched, and she hissed and snarled like a cat. She circled them, and they circled her. It was only a matter of time before someone lashed out.

Angela was scared. They were scared. No one trusted anyone.

Recognising the situation was about to get unnecessarily volatile; the female officer stepped forward.

She kept her body language soft and unthreatening and spoke to Angela as an equal, introducing herself by her first name and telling Angela a little bit about what she liked to do in her spare time. She looked for common ground and asked about the drawings and paintings scattered around the room.

Initially suspicious, Angela tentatively played the game. But as her trust grew, she lowered her heckles and slowly allowed her guard to drop. Angela embraced the conversation and spoke emphatically about her artwork.

The police officer and Angela continued chatting like old friends as the mental health officers looked on from the periphery.

Once she felt the time was right, the police officer explained what they hoped to do. A trip up to the hospital to help her feel more like herself.

They discussed how Angela hadn’t been feeling well. The police officer empathised with what Angela was experiencing. “That doesn’t sound like fun,” and “would you like to feel better,” “shall we go up to the hospital and find help?”

Instead of backing her into a corner, the police officer coaxed Angela out into the open and gave her the agency to make decisions on her own terms.

“So, what would you like to wear for your trip up to the hospital?”

“Where are your shoes? Which ones shall we put on?”

In the space of 15 minutes, Angela turned from a frightened, cornered wild animal into a vulnerable child.

Angela giggled as the police officer bent down to lace up her shoes. She swung her legs with glee and played with her hair. Suddenly startled, Angela’s eyes darted around, and her body tensed. Sensing her rising anxiety, the police officer offered out her hand, and Angela grabbed it for dear life. Together, they walked out to the awaiting car, Angela clutching the police officer’s hand like a nervous child on her first day of school.

They sat in the back of the car and played eye-spy. Each time Angela’s hands clenched tighter around the police officer’s knuckles, Angela was offered reassurance and comfort.

The police officer slipped little bits of information into the conversation to help alleviate the anxiety of not knowing what was happening. Enough information to evaporate the fear, but not so much so as to confuse.

They say we can do things the easy way or the hard way. I don’t believe these are our only options. Let’s do things the kind way.

This story is in response to the Spread the Ripple writing prompt for March. I invite everyone to partake in this prompt.

“Uniform”

Underneath every uniform rests a beating heart. How has someone in uniform restored your faith in humanity?

You can find out more about the Spread the Ripple writing prompts here:

February was all about gifts. We had a selection of beautiful stories all about the kindness of gifts. You can check them out here:

How Strangers Rewarded A Woman’s Honesty By Gifting A New Car To Her by Mukundarajan V N

The Gift Of Wanting To know by Paul Gardner

How The Simplest Of Ideas Can Become The Profoundest Of Gifts by Sally Prag

The Note — An Inspiring Story Of Kindness (answering the “words” prompt) by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Gifts From Strangers by Dave Karpowicz

A Younger Man Called Us Golden Girls by Lu Skerdoo

Here Is Where My Love Story Begins by Yana Bostongirl

Because Two People Fell In Love by Toni the Talker

Kindness Lessons Anyone Can Teach by Brenda Mahler

DIY Gifts — Home Made Presents With A Personal Touch by Shubha Apte

Spill Of Grace by Jodi Monroe

Gift Yourself Kindness With A Dash Of Goodness by Sanghita Pal

The Gift Of Independence by Dr. Preeti Singh

At Everyday Sundae, Everyone Gets A Scoop Of Ice-Cream Whether They Can Afford It Or Not by B.R. Shenoy

The Illusion Of Reflections by Shameem Anwar

I’m pretty certain I’ve included all the stories in response to the “gift” prompt. If I have made any errors or omissions, please let me know.

I invite you to write to the “uniform” prompt.

Underneath every uniform rests a beating heart. How has someone in uniform restored your faith in humanity?

So buckle up and get writing.

Don’t forget to:

• Include a link to the original prompt in your story (it’s here).
• Tag me, Ali Hall, so I see it.
• Tag other writers to encourage them to get involved.
• Use hashtags wisely, “kindness” and “Spread the Ripple” tags are recommended.

Come and write with us at Spread the Ripple.

This story was brought to you by Spread the Ripple. We are a publication dedicated to kindness. Kindness is our superpower. Read more stories and come and write with us here: