LANGFORD – New Democrat MLA Mitzi Dean and MLA-elect Ravi Parmar say that people in a mental health or substance use crisis will have the support of mental health experts as a new Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Team (MICR) launches in the West Shore, serving Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Highlands, Metchosin, and Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

“When people are in mental health crises, mental health professionals can help support them and connect them to the resources they need,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA-elect for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “Pairing West Shore RCMP officers with mental health professionals means people in crisis will be better served and supported in our community.”

MICR Teams, formerly known as Car programs, pair a police officer with a healthcare professional to respond to mental health calls made to the police. The teams provide on-site mental health assessments and crisis intervention and can refer individuals to appropriate services in the community.

“People dealing with mental health emergencies deserve to feel safe and supported by first responders in their community,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “I’m pleased the West Shore RCMP are enthusiastically championing this initiative to make people in our community feel safer and work as a team with our fantastic mental health professionals.”

Built on partnerships between municipal police departments or local RCMP detachments and the regional health authorities, these teams help free up police resources to focus on crime.

The provincial government has committed $3 million to help fund the implementation of nine new teams across B.C. With communities now selected, health authorities and local police will begin planning together to recruit staff and put services in place as quickly as possible.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/29212