Victoria peer-assisted crisis team looks to be difference-maker for mental health calls
Victoria NewsSep 17, 2021
Police aren't always the best people to respond to a person in crisis, nor should they be expected to be.
This is one of the main principles behind a new pilot project being developed in
Someone experiencing a mental health crisis now has limited options. They can call police or an ambulance – neither of which can offer constructive supports and both of which can be anxiety-inducing for vulnerable populations – or, if they know of it, they can call the Vancouver Island Crisis Line to access a mobile crisis response team of social workers, nurses and plain-clothes police officers
Two things are missing, according to the CEO of the
"Having a peer, someone with lived experience of mental illness who's trained as well, can go a long way for making someone feel safe in the moment," Morris said.
Victoria received
Different forms of crisis response teams are just taking off in
Being overburdened is something the
"Over recent years, police agencies have been required to fill the void created by gaps in social programs, which often places police officers in an untenable position. Often, the police are the only ones left to call in situations where a social worker or mental health professional could have been more appropriate," he wrote in a news release in
A mental health-focused response team also has the opportunity to offer an individual in crisis supports that could help break the cycle of emergency need. Often, Morris said, crises are the result of loss of employment, housing or a loved one, or problems with the law, addiction or mental health. These issues need to be addressed for long-term change to occur, he added.
The issue of alternative approaches to mental health calls was raised again in the region recently. On
Morris said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the specific incident, but emphasized that having mental health expertise during a crisis offers opportunities for different kinds of interactions.
"What we do know is when we have health professionals on the frontline of a mental health crisis, people don't die," she said.
The pilot peer-assisted crisis team is expected to be fully operational within the year.
Anyone in need of mental health support now can call B.C.'s 24/7 crisis line at 310-6789 (no area code needed).