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Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams for Simcoe-Grey

Funding will allow police and mental health professionals to help people in crisis

January 28, 2025 – For Immediate Release

Simcoe-Grey, ON – Today, Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey was proud to announce that the Ontario government is providing $241,677.90 to help the Huronia West OPP and the Collingwood & Blue Mountains 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 and enables police to utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.

“This is very good news for the residents of Simcoe-Grey and is recognition of the great work of our local Mobile Crisis Response Team that has been at the forefront of this important initiative for many years,” said MPP Brian Saunderson. “The Mobile Crisis Response Teams work cooperatively with many partner organizations to ensure that those in distress are connected with the critical services they need as quickly as possible.”

Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers responding to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can help determine whether an individual suspected of experiencing a crisis should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and provide connections to community programming and supports if necessary.

“When people need help, every second matters. That’s why we’re providing training and resources to the police officers and nurses on Ontario’s Mobile Crisis Response Teams so they can best support those facing a mental health or addictions crisis,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This investment will put the right people in the right places to de-escalate situations that could pose a safety risk. Working together with our police community partners, we’re keeping Ontario safe.”

In 2024-25, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 40 police services and Ontario Provincial Police detachments to strengthen their Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

“Our MCRT team collaborates with an OPP officer and a crisis worker from Collingwood General and Marine Hospital to deliver a comprehensive and proactive approach to emergency community mental health support. They assist individuals in crisis through urgent intervention, community referrals, and ongoing follow-up engagement. The Huronia West MCRT team is a highly effective, efficient, and dedicated resource for those in need in our communities. As mental health-related calls for service continue to rise, the support provided by this grant is crucial for maintaining the level of service our communities require.”

Kevin P. Convey

Inspector/Interim Detachment Commander

Huronia West Detachment

“Our MCRT team partners an OPP officer with a Collingwood General and Marine Hospital crisis worker, and provides a multi-layered and proactive approach to emergency community mental health support. They support individuals in our communities experiencing crisis through urgent intervention, community referrals and ongoing follow up engagement.  The Collingwood and the Blue Mountains MCRT team is a highly effective, efficient and dedicated support to those in need in our communities.  As we continue to see a steady increase in mental health related calls for service, the support provided by this grant is critical in maintaining the level of service our communities need.”

L.A. (Loris) Licharson

Detachment Commander

Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Detachment

QUICK FACTS

  • The Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system.