Representatives from Addictions and Mental Health Services have announced just over $1 million in funding from the Local Health Integration Network and the Ontario Ministry of Health, to implement a new program to improve the police response to addictions and mental health calls.
Addictions and Mental Health Services HPE’s Derek McGeachy says the IMPACT program’s goal is to provide supports where and when they’re needed most, by assigning a addictions and mental health worker to each of the local police services.
“Our police partners are often the first point of contact for many individuals experiencing addictions and mental health-related concerns and this program is designed to help support our police in supporting our communities. The providers in Hastings Prince Edward continue to make working together a priority, to increase access and reduce the barriers to addictions and mental health supports.”
He says the program, which is expected to launch this spring, is another example of the strong partnerships between AMHS, local police forces, Quinte Health Care and the greater community.
From the policing side, Quinte West OPP Detachment Commander Christina Reive says that will make a big difference for officers and the people with which they interact.
“By having immediate access to a mental health and addictions professional, we’ll be able to reduce our apprehensions for people who have to go to the hospital for care, make immediate interventions and reduce crisis with people who have specialized training in this area. The partnership, the on-the-spot intervention and collaboration is going to make a huge impact.”
And from Quinte Health Care’s perspective, Program Director Linda Price says partnerships like these are the key to improving mental health services in the community.
“It is vital that we continue to have thoughtful conversations about how to best approach mental health issues in a way that is respectful, promotes deescalation and extends health care support as early and as quickly as possible.”
Price added that QHC’s crisis team is always available to help those in need of its services, even if they aren’t referred through the IMPACT program.
McGeachy says the goal is to use the money announced on Wednesday to get the program up and running by the spring, noting that they’ll need to continue to come up with more funds to keep it going in the future.
He’s hoping that the early success of the program may lead to more grant opportunities on that front.
