The City of Kamloops is the latest city to get a specialized service directed to people experiencing mental health or substance use crisis.
On Monday, the province announced the Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL, pronounced “circle”), formerly known as Peer Assisted Care Teams, would be expanding to Kamloops.
The service provides support to people 13 and older who experiencing mental health crisis that may include thoughts of suicide or self harm, feelings of grief, distress, panic or anxiety, and/or acting in ways that are distressing, a news release said.
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It is a mobile, community-led service that includes a combination of mental-health professionals and people with lived experience who are trained in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive crisis support.
“The CRCL team helps de-escalate, ensures and plans for the immediate safety of the person in crisis, and connects them to services to support their longer-term needs,” the news release said.
“This service also helps free up policing resources to focus on crime and aids in preventing unnecessary demand on hospital emergency departments by supporting people in community.”
The service is a partnership between CMHA BC and the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society.
According to the release, the program soft launched with a small number of people in February but is now operating at full capacity. Since the beginning of the year, about 50 people have been helped.
The team is available noon until 8 pm, Monday to Friday and can be reached at (778) 470-2725.
“Launching the CRCL service in another community is a crucial advancement in building a comprehensive crisis support network across BC,” said Jonny Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC).
“We commend the Province for recognizing the critical need for community crisis response in our communities.”
The program operates in five other communities including Victoria, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, New Westminster, Prince George and the Comox Valley.
According to the province, since 2023 CRCL teams have responded to more than 10,000 calls.
Last year, 99% of the 6,000 calls responded to by CRCL teams did not require police involvement.
