On April 27, 2020, the James Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Hearst – Kapuskasing – Smooth Rock Falls Counselling Services (HKSCS) launched a Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) in the Town of Kapuskasing and area.
“MCRT” refers to a team consisting of police and a health partner who respond collaboratively to support individuals experiencing crisis as a result of mental health or addictions issues. In the James Bay Detachment MCRT model, a registered social worker is embedded with the police to respond to crisis calls as a team. This team-oriented approach will provide persons in crisis, their families and caregivers with timely and appropriate crisis intervention in cases that require a police response, by proactively involving a mental health professional to attend and provide support on scene.
“The James Bay detachments are thrilled about our partnership with both the North East LHIN (Local Health Integration Network) and HKS Counselling Services, which will enhance our capacity to leverage the experience of trained mental health and addictions professionals when responding to persons in mental health crisis and reinforces our continued commitment to overall public safety,” said Inspector Shawn Crabbe, commander of the James Bay detachments of the OPP.
The development of MCRT in Kapuskasing has been made possible through a collaboration between the OPP, the HKSCS and the North-East Local Health Integration Network.
“Our goal here is to help people with addictions and mental health issues get the support they need in a timely manner by putting the right professionals in the right place,” said Steve Fillion, Executive Director of HKSCS.
For more information, please contact our Kapuskasing Office at 705-335-8468.