The province is highlighting a $8.4-million investment over the next four years to bring mental health workers to OPP call centres.
The program began in London, Ontario before coming to Thunder Bay in May, and will be rolled out to more centres this year.
The money was part of this year’s provincial budget.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones announced one worker will be assigned to each centre can help de-escalate situations or connect callers with the right services.
“A traditional enforcement response is not always the most appropriate approach,” Jones said. “Responding to persons-in-crisis-related calls requires a special combination of skills and expertise.”
Jones said this will keep officers from spending time and resources on non-emergency calls that they aren’t suited for.
“Our officers respond to thousands of mental health calls a year,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. “The Crisis Call Diversion Program not only reduces the use of police personnel for non-emergent responses when appropriate, but also helps individuals experiencing mental health crises by offering better pathways to meet their needs and supporting the de-stigmatization of mental health.”
The OPP has also created a Crisis Call Diversion Development and Implementation Guide to share with other police services and health partners considering similar programs or initiatives.
