Canadian Mental Health Association Joins London Police Service’s 911 Responders

CMHA Thames Valley workers to support callers through Crisis Call Diversion Program

January 14, 2025 | London, Ontario: The London Police Service (LPS) and Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services are pleased to announce the launch of the Crisis Call Diversion Program, an extension to existing mental health and addiction crisis supports. The Crisis Call Diversion Program connects mental health and addiction workers from CMHA Thames Valley with LPS’ 9-1-1 call centre, which allows responders to quickly connect callers experiencing a mental health or addiction-related crisis directly to trained professionals.

“When someone reaches out for help, the best outcome is a timely connection to the right support,” said Lori Griffith, Director of Crisis Services at CMHA Thames Valley. “Our trained mental health and addiction workers can de-escalate situations, connect individuals to suitable community-based resources, and reduce the number of unnecessary hospital visits or involvement with the criminal justice system.”

In the month of December 2024, the Crisis Call Diversion Program supported 94 interventions, of which only 37 calls required police response. The program also issued 92 referrals to community supports.

The crisis call diversion program augments current mental health and addiction crisis supports provided by CMHA Thames Valley, including their 24/7 Crisis Centre at 648 Huron Street, London. This service is open 365 days a year for anyone in need of immediate support. There are two phone options specifically for mental health and addiction needs available in the area, Reach Out and 9-8-8. Both offer 24/7 support through phone call or text to 519-433-2023 for Reach Out and 988 for 9-8-8.

 “The Crisis Call Diversion program creates an enhancement to the traditional way of responding to 9-1-1 calls from people in crisis,” says Superintendent Blair Harvey. “It allows us to provide mental health support right from the initial point of contact via the 9-1-1 call. This allows us to immediately get the person in crisis connected with the supports and resources that are needed.”

CMHA Thames Valley and LPS are partnered on several initiatives, such as through CMHA’s Crisis Response Team, the Community Outreach and Support Team, and connecting individuals with the 24/7 Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Centre. 

“We remain dedicated to working together with CMHA Thames Valley towards our shared goals of supporting Londoners in need,” says Superintendent Harvey. “Now more than ever, we know that overcoming the current challenges this city faces are only possible through collaboration and compassion.”

The crisis call diversion model was piloted by CMHA Thames Valley and the Ontario Provincial Police in 2020, before the program expanded to other CMHA branches in the province.

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About Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services is an integrated mental health and addiction agency providing community-based supports and services across Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford, and South Huron Counties. The continuum of services includes crisis intervention and virtual supports, mobile crisis teams, police partnerships, case management, counseling, and community wellness programs for both individuals and their families. Housing supports and addiction medicine services are also available. Treatment and service plans are developed based on standardized screening and assessment protocols and procedures. The organization was established in April 2021 when three organizations (Addiction Services of Thames Valley, CMHA Elgin-Middlesex, and CMHA Oxford) united to better serve the mental health and addiction needs of the Thames Valley Region.  It is guided by its vision to “provide timely mental health and addiction services, education, and advocacy to ignite hope and support change for all”.
www.cmhatv.ca

Media Contacts:

Kelly Morgan | Communications
CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
519-668-0624 ext. 1076
communications@cmhatv.ca

Cst. Matthew Dawson | Media Relations Officer                            
C. 519-868-3882                                         
Email. Media Officer