The Provincial Government has joined with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to establish more mobile crisis response teams throughout the province.
In addition to the teams already established in St. John's, Corner Brook and Labrador West, in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, additional teams are now available in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Corner Brook team is also expanded to include the Bay of Islands, communities west to Gallants, and to communities east and including Deer Lake.
Mobile crisis response teams include a mental health care worker, such as a social worker or registered nurse, and a police officer, working together to respond to people in crisis. Since forming in 2018-2019, the teams in St. John's, Corner Brook and Labrador City, have responded to over 5,000 calls for service.
All teams are available seven days a week; however, the hours of operation vary by region. Hours of operation and contact details are provided below.
St. John's
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Mental Health Crisis Line
1-888-737-4668
709-737-4668
Gander
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
709-256-6841 (RCMP Gander)
709-535-8637(RCMP Lewisporte)
Grand Falls-Windsor
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
709-489-2121 (RCMP Grand Falls-Windsor)
709-673-3864 (RCMP Springdale)
Corner Brook
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
709-637-4100 (RNC Corner Brook)
709-637-4433 (RCMP Corner Brook)
709-635-2173 (RCMP Deer Lake)
Labrador City
2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
709-944-7602 (RNC Labrador City)
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
709-896-3383 (RCMP Happy Valley-Goose Bay)
Mobile crisis response teams can also be accessed by calling 911.
Budget 2019 – Building Towards a Brighter Future provided $914,000 to launch mobile crisis teams throughout the province, delivering on a commitment in Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. It also delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
"Mobile crisis response teams assist or intervene with a mental health crisis in a person's home or community. One of the core elements of these teams, is the collaboration with community partners. These include our regional health authorities, mental health service providers and police services, to help break the stigma associated with mental health, and deliver supports to people who are experiencing challenges."
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services
"By combining the strengths and expertise of health care workers and police, mobile crisis teams can save lives. We are always looking for ways to do things differently and continually working towards a better model of policing. We have seen the positive results from the mobile crisis response teams in other areas of the province and look forward to more teams being established."
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
"RCMP NL is extremely pleased to be a partner in this collaborative, team-based approach for responding to persons experiencing a mental health crisis. Our police officers and mental health professionals will work together as Mobile Crisis Response Teams to provide a critical service to individuals in crisis. This initiative is ground-breaking for the RCMP and will, undoubtedly, positively impact the communities and residents we serve and protect."
Assistant Commissioner Ches Parsons
Commanding Officer, RCMP NL
Learn more
Towards Recovery: The Mental Health and Addictions Action Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
New Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams in St. John's and Labrador West
New Mobile Crisis Response Team Established in Corner Brook
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