Police continue mental health call transfers after successful first year

For the past year, police in Saskatoon have been directing certain low-risk mental health calls away from police and towards a local crisis agency.

The Mental Health & Suicide Intervention Call Transfer Protocol sees certain low-risk calls to police that are related to mental health transferred to Mobile Crisis Service, which frees up police resources and helps those experiencing a mental health crisis quickly connect with support services.

In the protocol’s first year, police said 210 calls were transferred from police to Mobile Crisis.

Before a call is transferred, the call-taker confirms the situation is not an emergency, self-harm is not occurring, and the call does not involve either weapons or criminal acts. Police said call-takers also confirm there are no signs of a domestic dispute or any need for immediate medical attention, and get permission from the caller before transferring the call.

Rita Field, executive director with Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service, said the transfer protocol has exceeded her expectations over the past year.

“The positive response from individuals and families has strengthened our resolve to continue with this important partnership,” Field said in a statement.

Deputy Police Chief Mitch Yuzdepski said both organizations have a shared commitment to improving community safety, and called the transfer protocol a great example of how partnerships can help ensure those in crisis are connected to the appropriate supports.

A similar program started in Regina in December.