For Immediate Release: Friday, February 21, 2020

Peel Regional Police team up with Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin Crisis Workers to Divert 70% of Mental Health Crisis 911 Calls from Hospitals to Community-Based Services

Mississauga, Ontario:  Peel Regional Police, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Peel Dufferin, launched a Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) program to help deal with the ever-increasing calls for service involving those persons experiencing mental health challenges or an addictions related crisis.

• The MCRRT program has a Crisis Worker (Registered Nurse, Registered Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) teamed up with a specially trained police officer to respond to 911 calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
• A primary goal of the MCRRT program is to provide an on-site assessment of the client, referring that person when appropriate to community-based services rather than transporting them to an Emergency Department.

In its first month of service, there were 164 MCRRT calls and 71 clients were formally referred to 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin rather than being brought to the hospital.  Ten per cent of calls were for those under the age of 16 where referrals can be made to the Peel Children’s Centre.

Dr. Ian Dawe, Program Chief & Medical Director, Mental Health, Trillium Health Partners and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at University of Toronto said of MCRRT, “Such an important service in our region.  Well done.  Bringing effective help to people makes so much sense.  Versus always having to bring the person to the help.”

Kiki Ferrari, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations, William Osler Health System said, “As home to one of the largest Mental Health and Addictions Programs and one of the busiest Emergency Departments in the province, Osler is pleased about this new partnership between Peel Regional Police and Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin. Over the years, we have continued to see an increase in the number of mental health patients visiting our Emergency Departments, and we support the work of the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team in helping patients connect to and receive mental health services in the setting that best meets their needs.”

“We are so thankful to be a part of the MCRRT partnership as it is helping people get mental health supports at home and improve their connection to community supports.  As the nationwide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA facilitates access to the resources people require to maintain and improve mental health and community integration, build resilience, and support recovery from mental illness.  If we don’t have a service that suits a client, we know who does and we show them the way.  Our goal is always mental health for all.”  David Smith, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin.

The MCRRT program will see two cars per day, 365 days a year, operating from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight.

Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin Branch offers services to those experiencing an addictions or mental health crisis, seniors with dementia, those navigating the court systems, people who are homeless or facing imminent homelessness and family and caregivers.  www.cmhapeeldufferin.ca

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For more information contact:

Siobhan Kukolic

Communications Officer

Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin
601-7700 Hurontario Street, Brampton, ON L6Y 4M3

Tel :   (289) 748-3239

Cell :  (416) 521-5387

https://cmhapeeldufferin.ca/