Terrorism is the chief consideration of national security. There are many professionalisms working together to reduce. Mental health specialists are known to work with police and security who may have experience in forensics, prison, liaison, and learning disabilities. However, we should consider that many adults were once young people and their needs were missed, dismissed or ignored that led to crime, hospitalisation, or radicalisation. Regardless of which route they have resorted to, it is a huge task and expense on resources. Yet, with understanding and consideration, it is possible to consider how to better support these individuals and communities if we consider mental health in a more proactive way considering neurodiversity. People who feel isolated, or vulnerable, or with limited education still have to survive and will be drawn to others who will provide a form of stability and survival in whatever measures. Helping staff learn and understand more about mental health for themselves as much as individuals they engage with is important as with increased anxiety, there is a decrease in mental capacity and an increased risk to impulsive and/or aggressive behaviour.

Fraud is the now the most commonly experienced crime in the UK (Police Foundation, 2026) which can impact significantly on an individual's mental health whereby they feel shame, guilt, or struggle to accept they have been a victim. In some cases the individuals are the most difficult to engage. Many practitioners describe not feeling competent sufficiently to recognise and support potential neurodivergent individuals  or poor mental health. The M Word cic is skilled in supporting neurodivergent individuals with their mental ill health working seamlessly with both. Emotional Problem Solving Ltd provides the research and training to support professionals  acquiring further skills to work with complex situations.

Poor mental health can be observed usually first by behaviour but there are more subtle clues when it comes to neurodiverse profiles that involve listening to what is being said rather than not what is being said (ie Situational Mutism, loss of capacity with increased anxiety). Some individuals are so anxious they may react aggressively, both verbally and physically, which goes against Zero Tolerance. It is vital that professionals are familiar with reading what is intent and what is anxiety. Whilst many professionals are trained to secure a situation, isolate an individual, or even trained to put individuals to the floor safely - some of these actions can trigger further distress to a neurodiverse individual thereby increasing the risks to all concerned.

The M Word cic supports young people and adults who have a neurodivergent profile but are experiencing poor mental health (anxiety, low mood, self-harm, suicidal ideation, impulsive/aggressive behaviour) and wish to understand themselves in order to recover. The more neurodiverse their profile is (e.g. Dyslexia, Autism, ADHD), the more complex their profile is and they are at increasing risks of poor or deteriorating mental health. There is a need for greater understanding in how to support this group of individuals when it comes to security or policing. It is all too easy to 'read' a situation or person presenting in a specific way and have to make a judgement call that later becomes an error of misunderstanding.