ONE in five Canadians experience some form of a mental illness in their lifetime and in Ontario’s Region of Peel, there are approximately 6,000 mental health related calls that we attend every year. That’s 16 calls every day.
In March 2015, Peel Regional Police collaborated with the Canadian Mental Health Association to introduce the 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Dufferin Program. The program is intended to respond to the growing need for mental health support in Brampton and Mississauga.
This program offers support to residents of Mississauga and Brampton, who are 16 years of age and older and are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis. Individuals are serviced by a team of health professionals and specially trained plain clothed police officers, who may arrange a mobile visit if required. The team conducts mental health assessments to determine the nature of the crisis and come up with a safety plan. Many factors are considered such as the individual’s existing support system, and other programs and services that are available to prevent a future crisis.
The goal of the program is to support individuals in a familiar environment limiting unnecessary trips to the hospital. Apprehensions under the Mental Health Act are the last resort. In addition, 24.7 Crisis Support Peel Program allows the individuals with mental illness get the help they need without becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, call the 24.7 crisis support Peel program at 905-278- 9036. The crisis line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has access to a language interpretation service with over 160 languages.
Watch the work Peel Regional Police are doing with CMHA Peel Dufferin to support those in our community who are in mental health and addiction crisis in this video 24.7 Crisis Support Peel-Dufferin/COAST