Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams in Leeds Grenville

Funding will allow police and mental health professionals to help people in crisis!

BROCKVILLE – The Ontario government is providing more than $450,000 to help four local police services provide specialized support to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis, announced Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

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

The funding allocations to support the local teams are:

• $94,007 to the Gananoque Police Service
• $109,852 for the Brockville Police Service
• $120,125 for Leeds OPP
• $128,818 to Grenville OPP

“As MPP, it’s an honour to support the men and women of our local police services, who put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe every day. One of the best programs I’ve seen to assist police in their incredibly challenging work on the frontlines is the Mobile Crisis Response Team,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “These specialized teams of officers and trained crisis workers can de-escalate volatile situations, keeping everyone safe and get individuals in a mental health crisis, and their families, the help and care they need.”

Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers responding to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can help determine whether an individual suspected of experiencing a crisis should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and provide connections to community programming and support if necessary.

“When people need help, every second matters. That's why we’re providing training and resources to the police officers and nurses on Ontario’s Mobile Crisis Response Teams so they can best support those facing a mental health or addiction crisis,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “This investment will put the right people in the right places to de-escalate situations that could pose a safety risk. Working together with our police community partners, we’re keeping Ontario safe.”

In 2024-25, the Ontario government is allocating more than $4.5 million to 40 police services and Ontario Provincial Police detachments to strengthen their Mobile Crisis Response Teams across the province.

QUICK FACTS

• The Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system.