Vancouver/CMEDIA: More people in British Columbia reportedly experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis are being connected to services to get the support they need on their journey to well-being, according to an evaluation report.
“When a person is in crisis, being met with understanding and compassion can change everything,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The Crisis Response, Community Led service is an extraordinary example of how leading with empathy can foster meaningful connections to support and services on a person’s journey to wellness.”
A mobile, community-led crisis service that serves people 13 and older experiencing a mental-health or substance-use, Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL, pronounced circle), formerly known as Peer Assisted Care Teams addresses thoughts of suicide or self-harm, feelings of grief, distress, panic or anxiety, and/or acting in ways that are distressing.
A combination of mental-health professionals and people with lived experience, the team is trained in providing trauma-informed, culturally safe crisis support.
More people in B.C. reaching out for help
In partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC), the Province launched the service in 2023.
Since then approximately 20,000 calls in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria, Prince George, the Comox Valley, Kamloops and Kelowna have been answered by the seven CRCL teams, according to a new report by CMHA BC.
According to the report, of those calls for service:
- 56.9% of CRCL calls were by individuals seeking help for themselves demonstrating trust in the service.
- The remaining 43.1% were made by those supporting others, including family, friends, bystanders and service providers.
- In addition, CRCL connected people in crisis to a range of supports, including:
- crisis intervention and de-escalation
- system navigation and advocacy
- family and social supports
- substance-use and harm-reduction services
- basic needs and safety, such as first aid, food, water or clothing
“Meeting someone experiencing a crisis with care and understanding can be not only life-changing, but lifesaving,” said Jonny Morris, CEO, CMHA BC. “Our evaluation report shows that CRCL is an appropriate and effective response to a mental-health crisis, underscored by the data showing that mobile teams only requested emergency services in fewer than 1% of dispatches. We are so proud of the local service providers and CRCL workers who show up every day to serve their communities with compassion.”
Making communities stronger and safer
Besides connecting people in crisis to support, CRCL has been effective in freeing police resources to focus on crime and other areas as dispatchers triaged 98% of calls without police, fire or emergency medical services involvement, according to the report.
When mobile teams responded in person, they directly requested emergency services in fewer than 1% of dispatches.
“When people are experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis, it’s critical they are met with compassion, understanding and the right supports,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “CRCL is helping connect people to care when they need it most, while freeing up police and emergency responders to focus on other calls and demonstrates the important role of community-led crisis response.”
As part of the government’s work to build a comprehensive system of mental-health and substance-use care, expanding support for people in crisis includes 3,829 publicly funded substance-use treatment beds that support people with addictions, of which 879 treatment and recovery beds are new since 2017, launching the Opioid Treatment Access Line, opening Foundry youth centres and First Nations healing facilities.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe during a mental-health or substance-use crisis. CRCL not only provides invaluable crisis intervention and de-escalation from someone who has walked the same path, but also provides wraparound supports, including mental-health or substance-use services and basic needs such as clothing or a warm meal, all with the goal of ensuring the person in crisis truly feels supported,” Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions said.
