Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Funding will help police in supporting people experiencing a mental health crisis

October 10, 2023

OWEN SOUND — The Ontario government is providing funding to help support specialized care to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. 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.

• Owen Sound Police Service to receive $113,236 for the 2023-24 fiscal year
• West Grey Police Service to receive $93,000 for the 2023-24 fiscal year

“With this funding, our government is providing specialized support to local police services to assist people undergoing a mental health crisis,” said MPP Byers. “This new resource will enable the police to work with trained crisis workers when helping the more vulnerable in our community.”

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

“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.”

QUICK FACTS

• Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can assess if an individual should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and/or provide referrals to community programs that support mental and physical well-being.

• The Mobile Crisis Response Teams Enhancement Grant is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness to build Ontario’s mental health and addictions system and complements the government’s earlier commitments to protect people’s health and enhance mobile crisis teams across the province.