Stalking and harassment of mental health professionals by patients in a community forensic service

Abstract

This study used a cross‐sectional survey design to investigate the incidence, experience and impact of stalking and harassment by clients on mental health professionals working in a community forensic mental health service. A response rate of 37% (N = 45) was obtained. A majority of respondents (88.9%) reported being harassed in at least one of the specified ways on at least one occasion. Of these respondents, 42.2% met the operational definition for stalking used by the study. The results support suggestions in the literature that mental health professionals may be at heightened risk of being stalked, and that it has both a personal and a professional impact. The aim of this paper is to describe the study, to highlight the implications for organisational practice, including provision of support and training, and to consider implications for future research.