Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham is advocating for an enhanced mental-health emergency response service in the city. His initiative aims to establish a dedicated emergency service focused solely on mental health emergencies, addressing a significant gap in current response systems.
Proposal for Mental Health Crisis Response
During an upcoming executive policy committee meeting, Gillingham plans to propose hiring Pensa Consulting to develop a comprehensive plan for the new service. Pensa Consulting is led by Maria Cotroneo, who brings extensive experience from the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the provincial government.
Background and Objectives
The concept, termed the Winnipeg Community Crisis Response Service (WCCRS), was initially introduced in October 2024. The proposed service aims to offer a community-led response to the increasing volume of mental health-related 911 calls that do not necessitate police or emergency medical services. This initiative seeks to alleviate pressure on existing emergency services while enhancing outcomes for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Current Landscape of Emergency Calls
- More than 21,000 calls for well-being checks were recorded last year in Winnipeg.
- These requests represent the highest volume of service calls for the police department.
The development of the WCCRS will explore collaborations with local health systems and community partners. This approach aims to ensure that mental health crises are managed by trained responders, allowing police resources to concentrate on serious crimes.
Community Support and Safety
Recent tragic incidents involving mental health scenarios have intensified calls for improved response methods. Notably, in January, a man died after police intervention during an erratic episode, leading to scrutiny of existing practices. In February, a fatal police shooting occurred while officers enforced the provincial Mental Health Act.
Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Chief Christian Schmidt has expressed support for this initiative. He believes that establishing dedicated mental health crisis teams will optimize resource allocation, ensuring that mental health professionals attend to individuals in distress effectively.
This proposed service represents a critical step forward in addressing mental health emergencies in Winnipeg, with a clear focus on improved community safety and support.
