Mental Health and Police Teams
Collaborative initiatives between local and provincial police and mental health crisis services have been developed to address the gap in the continuum of existing community crisis services.
These specialized teams, consisting of a mental health crisis worker partnered with a specially trained officer work in the community providing intervention to individuals who are in severe distress, or who are experiencing a mental health crisis and whose needs are not being effectively met through the justice system or the health sector.
The objectives of the specialized Mental HealthPolice Teams are to engage with individuals to prevent admission/incarceration whenever possible and to work to facilitate the most optimal outcome to the situation. The Mental Health Police Teams also conduct Crisis In Training, a week-long training program for police officers who may encounter individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Windsor Crisis Response Team (C.R.T.)
The Windsor Crisis Response Team is a partnership between Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Police Service (WPS). The team consists of four dedicated crisis intervention Trained (CIT) Windsor Police Officers and four dedicated CIT Trained HDGH mental health social workers making up two units. The CRT responds to dispatched calls to individuals presenting with symptoms of mental illness, substance use, behavioural disorders, or people in acute crisis situations within the City of Windsor. The team will help de-escalate crisis situations, provide immediate mental health supports, risk assessments as well as assists with connecting individuals with appropriate ongoing services or community supports.
Referrals to this city service may be made by calling 519-255-6700 ext. 4203.
Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Seven Days a Week.
Amherstburg C.O.A.S.T.
The Amherstburg partnership of Windsor Police Service and the Community Crisis Centre of Windsor-Essex County is known as Amherstburg C.O.A.S.T. (Community Outreach and Support Team) and provides services in the Town of Amherstburg.
Referrals to this service may be made by calling 519.736.0208 or email AmherstburgCOAST@hdgh.org. For more information on referrals, view the referral form.
Hours are varied.
Essex County M.H.R.U.
The partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police - Essex Detachment and the Community Crisis Centre of Windsor-Essex County is known as the O.P.P. M.H.R.U. (Mental Health Response Unit) and provides this service throughout Essex County.
Referrals to this county service may be made by calling the appropriate number from the list below or email oppmhru@hdgh.org. For more information on referrals, view the referral form.
Essex
Phone: 519.728.0183
Fax: 519.728.0211
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
Leamington
Phone: 519.324.0123
Fax: 519.324.0762
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday - Friday
LaSalle C.O.A.S.T.
The partnership with LaSalle Police Services and the Community Crisis Centre of Windsor-Essex County is known as LaSalle C.O.A.S.T. (Community Outreach and Support Team) and provides services in the Town of LaSalle.
Referrals to this service may be made by calling 519.250.5048 or email LaSalleCOAST@hdgh.org. For more information on referrals, view the referral form.
Hours are varied.
Essex County M.C.R.R.T.
The Essex County Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) is a partnership between Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and the Essex County OPP. The team consists of two dedicated Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) OPP officers and two dedicated CIT-trained Social Worker/Crisis Worker. The MCRRT are first responders to emergency mental health-related calls in Essex County (Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Essex, Kingsville, and Leamington) for those over the age of 16. The team will help de-escalate crisis situations, provide immediate mental health needs and risk assessments, and will assist in connecting individuals with appropriate services. The MCRRT team is an enhancement to our current Mental Health Response Unit (MHRU). Follow-up of the initial crisis will be provided by either the Essex or Leamington MHRU.
This program is a three-year pilot program made possible through the Community Safety and Policing Grant.
Hours varied.
Youth Crisis Response Team (Y.C.R.T.)
The Youth Crisis Response Team (YCRT) is a partnership between Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and the Essex County OPP. The team consists of two dedicated Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) OPP officers and two dedicated CIT-trained Social Worker/Crisis Worker. The YCRT are first responders to emergency mental health-related calls in Essex County (Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Essex, Kingsville and Leamington) for youth up to the age of 16. The team will help de-escalate crisis situations, provide immediate mental health needs and risk assessments, and will assist youth and their families in connecting with appropriate services. The YRCT will also provide follow-up to the youth and their families after the initial crisis has resolved.
This program is a three-year pilot program made possible through the Community Safety and Policing Grant.
Hours varied.
Families’ and Friends’ Role in Promoting Safety
Family members and friends play an important role in patient safety. Encouraging attendance of appointments, taking medications and asking to be involved in understanding and facilitating treatment plans is recommended among family members and friends. If family members and friends have serious concerns about a loved one’s safety and well-being please utilize emergency (911) or crisis hotline (519-973-4435) services or locations (nearest emergency room or crisis centre) as needed. You are always allowed to provide us with information however we may not be able to relay information/feedback to you directly. For any important messages the hospital contact information is provided on this website under the Contacts link. Thank you for your role in promoting safety.