(Sioux Lookout, August 10th, 2021) – The addition of a second mobile crisis worker to the Sioux Lookout Mobile Crisis Response Team means it will be able to expand to seven-days-a-week coverage to support individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis in the community.
Originally launched July 1, 2021 in partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Kenora Branch and the Sioux Lookout Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Sioux Lookout Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) pairs mental health crisis workers with officers to provide effective responses to mental health and addictions-related police calls for service by directing individuals away from emergency departments and the justice system and into appropriate community supports.
Funded by Health Canada and Ontario Health, the Sioux Lookout MCRT began operation on a rotational schedule of 10-to-12-hour shifts, four to five days at a time. This additional crisis worker will join the Sioux Lookout MCRT in September of 2021, allowing the program to expand to daily service.
Through the Sioux Lookout MCRT, the mental health worker and police officer work as a team to:
- De-escalate, assess, and provide resources to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions-related crisis
- Divert individuals from unnecessary hospital emergency department visits and involvement with the justice system
- Determine appropriate links to community services
- Provide timely and appropriate crisis intervention for individuals and caregivers
- Decrease stigma of individuals living with mental health and/or addictions issues
- Build and maintain effective partnerships between police services and health care agencies
“Since launch of the Sioux Lookout MCRT in July, we’ve seen how having a mobile crisis worker alongside our officers can make a real, positive impact in supporting individuals in crisis in the moment,” said Detachment Commander Karl Duewel. “The community of Sioux Lookout faces many unique challenges, which we’re already seeing being addressed through the implementation of this partnership with CMHA Kenora. We’re responding more effectively to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and ensuring those individuals and their families are supported through the crisis stage by connecting them to appropriate follow-up care.”
“We’re pleased to be able to expand coverage for the Sioux Lookout MCRT with an additional mobile crisis worker, ensuring anyone experiencing a crisis can get the support they need in a safe, appropriate and timely way,” said CMHA Kenora Chief Executive Officer Sara Dias. “The early returns on this new partnership with Sioux Lookout OPP are already showing how getting people in crisis the right help at the right time can build resilience and prevent relapse.”
The Sioux Lookout MCRT is made possible through funding from Ontario Health and Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program contribution, received by the Northwestern Health Unit, Sioux Lookout.
Individuals experiencing crisis and requiring emergency police response should call 9-1-1 to activate services. Anyone in crisis and looking for confidential phone support or a referral can reach out to the Kenora Rainy River District Crisis Response Services at 1-866-888-8988 to be connected to local resources.
