Local Mobile Crisis Response Teams Recieve Funding From Ontario Government

Brockville – The Ontario government is providing over $345,000 to help Leeds & Grenville police services provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

The grant supports the ongoing need for additional mental health assistance for police calls for service involving individuals and their families experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, as well as to better leverage local mental health expertise.

The funding is being delivered through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant program and enables police to utilize trained crisis workers when responding to those in need.

The following police services are receiving funding:

• $98,770 for the Gananoque Police Service in partnership with Brockville Police Service
• $128,436 for the Grenville County OPP
• $118,458 for the Leeds County OPP

“I’m so proud our government is providing local police services with these resources to support those experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “With the expertise and care from mental health professionals at Brockville General Hospital and Lanark-Leeds-Grenville Addictions and Mental Health, this
funding will help ensure our police services are well equipped to respond to crisis situations.”

In 2023-24, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 39 municipal and First Nations police services, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), to help strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

The Grenville County OPP MCRT was first comprised of a Registered Nurse (RN) with Brockville General Hospital (BGH) and an OPP officer. The team was created in February of 2021 and expanded in late 2022 to include an additional RN and police officer. The team has been a part of over 1,200 live and follow-up calls for service since its implementation. The team also conducts Crisis Intervention Training courses in the region and advocates for more collaboration with local agencies to better support community well-being.

“Supporting individuals in a mental health crisis and connecting them to proper resources remains a top priority for our OPP Mobile Crisis Response Team.

Grants such as these will support our Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and ensure our joint community outreach program continues to be an effective and proactive method to respond to mental health issues within our communities.” said Inspector Stephan NEUFELD, Detachment Commander – Grenville County OPP.

“We are proud of our collaboration and the work of our Grenville County OPP MCRT. We know the positive impact that this type of crisis response model can have in supporting an individual in crisis. With this joint response model, we are better able to support community members at the time the crisis is occurring when the support is needed the most. Funding through grants plays a large part in our ability to expand our model of crisis care in the community and we look forward to being able to continue this great partnership.” said Shawn SOUDER, Director of Mental Health and Community Programs – Brockville General Hospital.

The MCRTs Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and further complements the government’s earlier commitments to protect people’s health and enhance mobile crisis intervention teams across the province to help build a province where all people feel safe and protected.

“We’re supporting our police services by providing them with the resources they need to assist vulnerable people in crisis situations,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Mobile Crisis Response Teams are best positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis and are an important part of how police in collaboration with this government
are working hard to keep Ontarians safe.”

If you, a family member, or a friend are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact the 24-hour Brockville General Hospital Crisis Line at 613-345-4600 or 1-866-281-2911 for assistance.