Joint effort to aid mental health clients continues in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – The mental health crisis program, a joint service from the Kamloops RCMP and Interior Health Authority, has been renewed for the next four years.

After being deemed a priority, Car 40 received an additional officer to its evening watch to respond to emergency calls from those who may be having a mental health crisis and having regular follow ups with mental health clients.

“Over time this team has developed relationships with a diverse group of clients and has successfully diffused situations that previously would have involved significant police resources and a client spending time in a jail cell or emergency room,” Supt. Brad Mueller said. “Instead, individuals in crisis are given a roadside triage and assessment with a wide variety of ways to resolve the situation.”

The daytime team, made up of a nurse and constable, help mental health clients de-escalate during a crisis, administer medications, follow up with clients and help develop a client’s after-care plan.

In the last year, the team has responded to over 600 calls for service. Only six per cent of calls resulted in a hospital referral.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.