Changes Coming To Mobile Crisis Response Team

The integrated mobile crisis response team in Saint John is undergoing changes that officials hope will create a more client-centered approach.

The three-year pilot project between the Saint John Police Force and the Horizon Health Network was first launched in October.

It saw two mental health professionals and two dedicated police officers attend crisis calls and wellness checks together from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Dr. Mary Ann Campbell, director of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at UNB Saint John, said anecdotal feedback they received led them to take a second look at how the program is delivered.

Campbell said the co-responder model originally being used saw officers responding to all crisis calls, even ones which police were not normally deployed to in the past.

“That was something we wondered whether that would cause people not to call the crisis line if they know that means the police are coming,” said Campbell, who is also a professor of psychology.

In addition, Campbell said there was no back-up coverage for the team officers, only one clinician was available per shift, and there was limited time for outreach services.

Under the evolved model, the clinicians will work more broadly with patrol officers trained in crisis response rather than being paired with a specific officer.

A third clinician will also be added to the team to help with coverage and outreach during regular business hours, she said.

“This shift in the model allows for the clinicians to determine whether we need police presence and also allows the police to pull them in as needed,” said Campbell.

Figures presented at last week’s police commission meeting showed the team received 339 calls between July and August of this year and made 74 on-site visits.

Campbell said they are in the process of hiring new staff for the three clinical social worker positions, which are currently being filled by clinical nurses. They are also developing a crisis response training program for a portion of patrol officers per shift.

The two Saint John police officers who were seconded for the team have returned to their regular duties and the money will be redirected for the clinical social workers, she said.

Last fall, the Department of Health said it had earmarked $900,000 over three years for the project.