The Provincial Government joined with community partners today to remind people that Western Health’s mobile crisis response team is available for service.

Since forming in April 2019, the team in Corner Brook has responded to over 170 calls. Similar teams based in St. John’s and Labrador West have responded to over 2,300 calls since April 2018. The team includes a mental health worker and a police officer working together to respond to people in crisis.

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 Royal Newfoundland Constabulary at 709-637-4100.

Budget 2019 – Building Towards a Brighter Future provided $914,000 to launch the Corner Brook team, in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and to establish teams in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor teams will be established in the coming weeks as well as a team in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The Corner Brook mobile crisis response team delivers on a commitment in Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. It also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“Mobile crisis response teams are helping to remove barriers to treatment, making it easier to access supports, changing how services are delivered, and eliminating the stigma associated with addiction and mental illness. Working closely with people with lived experience and their families, our community partners and the regional health authorities, we are ensuring people get appropriate treatment when and where they need it.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Mobile crisis response teams save lives. By combining the strengths and expertise of health care workers and police, these teams are more effectively responding to people in crisis by using de-escalation techniques to provide intervention when required. Mobile crisis response teams are another way we are working to help reduce stigma in the community.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General

“By responding to over 170 calls since its inception in April, the Corner Brook mobile crisis response team is making a real difference in people’s lives. The team is responsive, effective and respectful to the individuals they serve, and as MHA for Corner Brook, I applaud the efforts of these professionals who, with great passion and dedication, continue the hard work of advancing the quality and delivery of mental health services.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources and MHA for Corner Brook

“With the implementation of the mobile crisis response team, I’m very encouraged that this service acts as a community bridge and point of entry for services. Close ties and other partnerships with agencies in the community not only ensures accessibility to those who are at their most vulnerable, but increases the capabilities of other service providers.”
Bonnie Rotchford
CHANNAL Certified Peer Supporter

“We are so pleased that the mobile crisis response team is up and running in Corner Brook. This service is a great example of our shared commitment with the Provincial Government to provide a better service to people in mental health crisis. By working together with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, we are able to provide access to services in the community right at the time it’s needed.”
Cynthia Davis
Western Health CEO

“Through the implementation of mobile crisis response teams, we have enhanced our response to persons with mental health issues in our province. The collaboration between police officers, health care professionals and community partners allows us to ensure that persons in crisis receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. We look forward to continuing this partnership, as we work together to build safe and healthy communities.”
Chief Joe Boland
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Chief of Police

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Learn more
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador

New Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams in St. John’s and Labrador West

New Mobile Crisis Response Team Established in Corner Brook

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL, @HCS_GovNL  and @JPS_GovNL

Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca

Lesley Clarke
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

Monica Fletcher
CHANNAL
709-753-1138
mfletcher@channal.ca

Tara Pye
Western Health
709-784-5252, 632-6852
tarajpye@westernhealth.nl.ca

Cst. James C. Cadigan, #775
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
709-729-8658
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca