Photo: Halton Police
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of Halton to launch a new pilot program aimed at improving care for individuals in mental health distress while streamlining 9-1-1 operations.
9-1-1 communicators will now assess whether a caller in distress requires urgent emergency help. If the situation is not deemed urgent and the caller consents, they will be transferred to a CMHA professional for specialized support and guidance. Should the situation escalate, the call can be redirected back to 9-1-1 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
The Call Diversion program will operate Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ensuring low-risk mental health calls are handled by trained experts while emergency lines remain open for urgent cases. HRPS says this approach will help connect people to the right care at the right time, while reducing pressure on emergency responders.
Deputy Chief Kevin Maher emphasized the importance of partnerships like this, noting that not every crisis requires a police officer:
“By uniting and building strategic programs like the Call Diversion pilot, together, we’re able to answer people’s calls for help in a way that ultimately benefits both the individual in need and other residents across the region who require immediate emergency help.”
For more details about HRPS mental health programs, including COAST, the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team, and youth supports through ROCK, residents can click here. If you are in crisis, call COAST at 1-877-825-9011, or dial/text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8. In emergencies, always call 9-1-1.
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