The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to announce that a new mobile crisis response team has been established in Corner Brook, and will be operational later this month.

The team includes a mental health worker and a police officer who will work together to respond to people in crisis.

Once implemented, the Corner Brook team can be reached seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., by calling 911 or the 24-hour Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-737-4668.

This team is similar to those already in place in St. John’s and Labrador West – which, to date, have responded to over 1,800 calls for service.

Budget 2019 – Building Towards a Brighter Future includes $914,000 to launch the Corner Brook team, and to establish teams in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor this summer, through a partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Another mobile crisis response team will be established this year in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Since the release of Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador, we are removing barriers to treatment, making it easier to access supports, changing how services are delivered, and working towards eliminating the stigma associated with addiction and mental health. Working closely with people with lived experience and their families, our community partners and the regional health authorities, we are making sure people get appropriate treatment when and where they need it.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.