A new program in London will connect 911 callers experiencing mental health or addiction-related crisis with professional help.
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The crisis call diversion program – a partnership between London police, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services – connects mental health and addictions workers with the police 911 call centre.
The program creates an “enhancement” to the traditional way of responding to 911 calls from people in crisis, London police Supt. Blair Harvey said.
“It allows us to provide mental health support right from the initial point of contact via the 911 call,” Harvey said in a statement Tuesday. “This allows us to immediately get the person in crisis connected with the supports and resources that are needed.”
The program supported 94 interventions last month, with only 37 requiring police response, and issued 92 referrals to community support, police said.
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The program was first piloted by CMHA Thames Valley and provincial police in 2020 before it was expanded to other parts of Ontario.
“When someone reaches out for help, the best outcome is a timely connection to the right support,” Lori Griffith, CMHA Thames Valley’s crisis services director, said in a statement.
“Our trained mental health and addiction workers can de-escalate situations, connect individuals to suitable community-based resources, and reduce the number of unnecessary hospital visits or involvement with the criminal justice system.”
London police have partnered with CMHA Thames Valley on other initiatives, including the crisis response team and the community outreach and support team.
“We remain dedicated to working together with CMHA Thames Valley towards our shared goals of supporting Londoners in need,” Harvey said. “Now more than ever, we know that overcoming the current challenges this city faces are only possible through collaboration and compassion.”
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