Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Funding will help police in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes support people experiencing a mental health crisis

NEWS October 10, 2023

BROCKVILLE — The Ontario government is providing over $345,000 to help area police 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.

The following police services are receiving funding:

  • $98,770 for the Gananoque Police Service in partnership with Brockville Police Service
  • $128,436 for the Grenville County OPP
  • $118,458 for the Leeds County OPP

“I’m so proud our government is providing local police services with these resources to support those experiencing mental health crisis,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “With the expertise and care from mental health professionals at Brockville General Hospital and Lanark-Leeds-Grenville Addictions and Mental Health, this funding will help ensure our police services are well equipped to respond to crisis situations.”

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.

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MEDIA CONTACTS   

Erin Merkley

Office of Steve Clark, MPP

Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

erin.merkley@pc.ola.org

Hunter Kell

Solicitor General’s Office

Hunter.Kell@ontario.ca

At Grenville County OPP Detachment with (Left to Right:) Shawn Souder, Director of Mental Health and Community Programs at Brockville General Hospital (BGH) – Provincial Constable Dave Holmes, MCRT Officer – Sgt. Rene Cadieux, Administrative Sergeant – Shawna Marshall, RN with BGH – MPP Steve Clark – Kim Brouwer, RN with BGH – Provincial Constable Annie Collins, MCRT Officer.
At Leeds County OPP Detachment with (Left to Right:) Provincial Constable Stefanie Poitras – Shawn Souder, Director of Mental Health and Community Programs at Brockville General Hospital (BGH) – Acting Staff Sgt. Paul Mayhew – MPP steve Clark – Inspector Simon Hardy –
Provincial Constable Joey Mason – Emily McFadden, Social Worker with BGH.
At LLGAMH with Gananoque & Brockville Police Services with (Left to Right:) Gananoque Chief of Police, Scott Gee – MPP Steve Clark – Brockville Chief of Police, Mark Noonan – Jordan Blanchard, Clinical Services Manager at Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health –
Domenic Ielo, CEO of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health.