Mental Health Response Unit Launches In Leamington

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The Ontario Provincial Police and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare have expanded their Mental Health Response Unit to Leamington.

The response unit provides an integrated approach to responding to individuals who may be suffering from a mental illness or find themselves in a severe distress situation and whose needs are not being effectively met within the current system. This collaborative initiative, put forth by the OPP and the Community Crisis Centre at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare is aimed at addressing gaps in existing crisis services.

Organizers say that too often, there are individuals who come to the attention of police and emergency room personnel at a point where hospitalization or incarceration are seen to be the only options to intervene – options which officials say rarely offer a solution that would allow the individual an opportunity for longer term change.

The response unit pairs a specially trained, plain clothed, police officer with a hospital mental health crisis worker who work together to meet with a vulnerable individual. They say it’s a pre-emptive approach in attempting to engage with an individual to assess their needs before their concerns or issues escalate.

Referrals to MHRU are accepted from anyone who is concerned with another person’s mental health status or psychological situation.

If you are an Essex County resident looking to make a referral, you can contact MHRU assessment/intervention by sending the information to [email protected] by email or by leaving a message at (519) 723-4600.