The recently formed Integrated Crisis Response Team (ICRT), a collaboration between the RCMP and Interior Health, has achieved tremendous success following its recent expansion across several communities in the Southeast District of BC.
The ICRT, comprised of trained psychiatric nurses partnered up with RCMP officers, is designed to respond to mental health crises with a focus on trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and connecting individuals to appropriate local services within their community.
In Trail, BC, the ICRT is making strides under the leadership of S/Sgt. Mike Wicentowich, who has observed a significant shift in how mental health-related calls are handled.
“The partnership between the RCMP and Interior Health through the ICRT program is transformative,” said S/Sgt. Wicentowich.
“This collaboration allows us to address the root causes of crises, such as mental health issues and substance dependencies, by directly connecting those in need with healthcare services.”
The ICRT’s early success in Trail, under the guidance of Ty Wright, an Integrated Crisis Response Nurse with Interior Health, has already demonstrated its potential to make a profound impact.
Ty’s proactive approach has led to more effective follow-ups and stronger connections between frontline officers and those in need, reducing the likelihood of repeated calls for police.
This proactive outreach model represents a critical step forward in addressing the complex challenges of mental health, addiction, and the unhoused.
The ICRT’s success in Trail is just the beginning of a broader effort of inter-agency collaboration in providing compassionate, effective crisis intervention throughout the Southeast District.
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