Collingwood / Blue Mountains OPP & Huronia West OPP to receive $239,898.60 through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant (MCRT).

Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Funding will help police in Simcoe-Grey support people experiencing a mental health crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 10, 2023

Simcoe-Grey — The Ontario government is providing $239,898.60 to help the Collingwood & Blue Mountains OPP, as well as the Huronia West OPP provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The funding is being delivered through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program and enables police to utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.  Each detachment will receive $119,949.30.

“Today’s announcement is very good news for the residents of Simcoe-Grey. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams have specific training to work effectively with individuals in our communities experiencing mental health and addictions issues,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe Grey. “The Mobile Crisis Response Teams work collaboratively with many partner organizations, such as the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, the Busby Centre South Georgian Bay, Home Horizons and My Friend’s House, to ensure that those in distress are connected with the critical services they need in a timely manner.”

In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

“We’re supporting our police services by providing them with the resources they need to assist vulnerable people in crisis situations,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Mobile Crisis Response Teams are best positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and are an important part of how police in collaboration with this government are working hard to keep Ontarians safe.”

“Police are called upon to respond to thousands of mental health calls a year,” said Thomas Carrique, OPP Commissioner. “The integrated Mobile Crisis Response Teams approach, with officers and crisis workers attending calls together, supports de-escalation at the time of crisis and connects individuals with the right community resources, at the right time, to better meet their needs and reduce future police interactions.”

QUICK FACTS

• Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can assess if an individual should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and/or provide referrals to community programs that support mental and physical well-being.
• The Mobile Crisis Response Teams Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and complements the government’s earlier commitments to protect people’s health and enhance mobile crisis teams across the province.