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Crisis workers embedded in local OPP communications centre

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crisis Call Diversion Program is now operating at OPP Provincial Communications Centres in North Bay and Orillia.

The program is designed to help provincial police officers offer the most appropriate response to calls from individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis.  

Through the program, professional mental health and addictions crisis workers are embedded into OPP Provincial Communications Centres. 

They can provide resources and tools, offer referrals, and help people navigate the mental health system. 

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Crisis workers can also provide support and assist in preliminary de-escalation when a call has been assigned to a police officer.

“Expanding the OPP Crisis Call Diversion Program to these two OPP Communications Centres further supports our government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Ontarians,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Having mental health and crisis professionals available to respond to callers in distress not only ensures individuals can get the appropriate help when they need it, it also helps reduce the need for police resources to be allocated to non-emergency situations.”

The Crisis Call Diversion Program was developed with and operated in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA, Thames Valley and Thunder Bay Branches). 

The expansion to Orillia and North Bay is being offered in partnership with the CMHA Simcoe County Branch and CMHA North Bay and District respectively.

After a successful launch of the pilot program in London and expansion to Thunder Bay in June 2021, there are now four OPP Provincial Communications Centres that are offering the Crisis Call Diversion Program. 

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