(Kenora, January 30th, 2023) – A community partnership that helps people at risk of imminent mental health or addictions crisis get the services they need, supported nearly 40 individuals and three families between May 2020 and May 2021, according to its latest annual report.

The Rapid Intervention Service Kenora (RISK) program – a dynamic initiative between police, justice, and social service groups – has released its fifth-year report, which shows that the highest cohort of individuals seen by the RISK table were those 18 to 24 years of age, at 29 per cent.

During this reporting period, the RISK table saw a decrease in 12- to 17-years-olds, representing a total of 15 per cent of individuals seen compared to the previous year which was 36 per cent.

RISK is based on a proven community safety model known as a “situation table.” Situation tables have proven effective in keeping people out of the justice system and connecting them with multiple service agencies in a timely manner.

Read the full 2020-2021 RISK report online here.

Demographic and risk factor statistics in the report include:

• Referrals by gender were 59 per cent male, 41 per cent female
• The highest age cohort of individuals seen by the RISK table were those 18 to 24 years of age at 29 per cent followed by those who were 25 to 29 years of age at 21 per cent and then followed by those who were 30-39 years of age.
• The top risk factors for those who used the RISK table included mental health (14 per cent), criminal involvement (11 per cent), drugs (10 per cent), alcohol (nine per cent), housing (nine per cent), antisocial/negative behaviour (eight per cent), and negative peers (six per cent).
• Risk of crisis was lowered in 76 per cent of cases referred.

“As the need for mental health and addictions services grow, we are proud to be able to show the results of this effective and innovative collaboration between police, justice and social service groups that is helping people in our community in a timely and holistic ways,” said RISK co-chair, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kenora Branch CEO, Sara Dias. “This collaborative effort is making a real difference for those at risk of crisis in our community.”

“The RISK table is making a positive impact in our community. It’s a crucial component in the way in which our community supports individuals with mental health or addictions concerns,” said RISK cochair, Jim Neild, OPP."

RISK brings together diverse service providers to identify situations of acutely elevated risk and prevent negative outcomes from occurring. Service providers rapidly respond and offer wraparound services to individuals with diverse needs who find themselves at risk of criminalization, victimization and/or harm.

RISK has a membership of 36 agencies and meets every two weeks to identify individuals, families or groups in crisis. These are often situations where a single agency may have exhausted all its resources trying to help. But together, RISK members act quickly to provide resources across multiple agencies.

Since its development in 2018, the RISK table has assisted 285 people in the Kenora region.

There are now 44 situation tables across Ontario in rural, urban and First Nation communities. Similar models exist in Dryden, Fort Frances, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.

For more information:

Sara Dias

CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association Kenora

T: 807-468-1838 ext. 229

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.