RCMP officers in the East Kootenays have been using a mental health screening tool to respond to mental health crises, and the program has been expanded across the Interior.
In an announcement last week in Vernon, BC, officials described how valuable the evidence-based risk-screening tool HealthIM is to Mounties.
” It is designed to meet people where they are during times of crisis and focuses on delivering safe and culturally appropriate care,” said Sylvia Weir, president and chief executive officer, Interior Health.
Officers are guided through a series of questions to facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis.
It aims to help improve communication with healthcare partners by using consistent clinical language and providing critical information to doctors and nurses immediately.
According to Interior Health, the benefits include:
- The assessment of risk of harm to self or others, which helps determine the best way a person can receive help
- Provides specific safety and de-escalation information about the person to facilitate a trauma-informed response, leading to better outcomes
- Alerts health-care partners to incoming people escorted by emergency responders, and flags instances of weapon possession and/or violent behaviour
- A risk of harm-analysis history can be developed over time, providing insight into how to assist those with previous police interactions
“HealthIM gives front-line officers a structured tool to better assess risk, support informed decision-making, and strengthen co-ordination with health-care professionals during mental-health-related calls,” said Staff Sgt. Chris Dodds, B.C. RCMP Southeast District.
“This approach helps ensure individuals in crisis are connected more efficiently to the care and support they need, while improving collaboration between police and health-care partners,” he adds.
As part of its commitment to building safer communities, the government provides $2 million annually to the BC Association of Chiefs of Police to support the rollout of HealthIM across municipal police departments and RCMP detachments throughout B.C.
“By improving communication between police and health-care teams, this tool supports more trauma-informed responses and better continuity of care,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
According to Interior Health, the HealthIM outcomes have seen a 46% decrease in apprehensions, 39% reduction in hospital wait times, and 37% increase in hospital admission rates.
As of May 19, there are 272 HealthIM files with 133 individuals apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to healthcare services for further assessment and support.
Cranbrook was the first community to implement HealthIM and has been the largest user to date, with 64 HealthIM files generated.
“As the demands of policing evolve, so must our response. Expanding HealthIM across B.C. is an important step forward,” said Steve Morrissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee.
It launched in the Boundary, Okanagan and West Kootenay regions last month, with the Thompson and Shuswap regions expected to launch on May 27.
“The launch of HealthIM in Vernon is another positive step toward improving how our community responds to mental-health-related calls,” said Victor Cumming, mayor of Vernon.
To learn more about HealthIM click here.
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