What is MHEART?
- A partnership between CMHA Oxford, the Woodstock Police Service, and the Oxford OPP
- A mobile response program which also exists across the province in a variety of models & names
- The over-arching goal of the program is to provide a joint response to calls related to a situational crisis, a mental health related concern, and/or an addictions related concern
What does the MHEART model look like in Oxford County?
- CMHA Crisis & Outreach Clinicians ride alongside WPS and OPP Constables in the cruiser
- The clinicians have a professional background in either social work or nursing
- MHEART clinicians are prioritized to specifically respond to any calls that involve a situational crisis, or where there is a known or suspected mental health and/or addictions related concern
How does MHEART benefit Oxford County?
- It helps to build positive rapport and a supportive presence between police and community members
- It enhances WPS/OPPs ability to respond to complex mental health situations
- It reduces the wait time for individuals requiring a crisis response & provides support to residents wherever they are located
- It decreases the number of contacts with individuals who repeatedly access police services
- It helps to decrease Emergency Department visits by providing more timely access to community-based crisis services and completion of mental health assessments in the community
- It increases access to community resources across Oxford County
