The city has unveiled plans for a three-year pilot project called the 'Safer Alternatives for Mental Health and Substance Use Crises Response', which would see fewer mental well-being and substance use calls handled by police and more follow-up and monitoring to offer ongoing support.
If approved by Council, the pilot project will be launched in one neighbourhood in Ottawa, before expanding to other areas of the city. The mayor says the city has worked with Ottawa police and paramedics in developing the proposal.
Community groups, elected officials and residents have called on Ottawa police and the city to develop a new strategy for mental health and substance use calls, saying calls should be diverted from police to trained professionals. Council approved Ottawa's first 'Community Safety and Well-being Plan,' with six priorities including mental well-being. The desired outcomes were:More follow-up and monitoring to offer ongoing supportIncreased access to harm reduction and overdose prevention supports and services
The non-911 phone number is dubbed a 'No wrong door' approach, providing people access to a range of response services for mental health and substance use crises. Callers to 911 seeking help would be transferred to the alternate number mental health team for assessment.The city of Ottawa will establish a community-based, civilian-led multi-disciplinary mobile crisis response team to offer "24/7 trauma-informed and culturally appropriate crisis response service.
Staff say the Guiding Council for Mental Health and Addictions recommends the first phase launch in one-geographic location. The possible neighbourhood for the pilot project is not named in the report.
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