The Alex to lead Calgary’s mobile crisis response teams

The City of Calgary has selected The Alex to lead the 12-month Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams.

The city says the non-profit health and social services organization will deliver the pilot project in east Calgary’s District 4, which consists of the Marlborough, Forest Lawn, and Penbrooke Meadows neighbourhoods.

“It takes a community to support a community and often a community-based solution is the best response,” said Joy Bowen-Eyre, CEO of The Alex.

Bowen-Eyre says the approach will give Calgarians access to “rapid, mobile and judgment-free crisis support” in times of need.

“Working together with other sector partners and providers enables The Alex to connect resources, services and care to individuals and their families through follow-up case management and wrap-around support,” Bowen-Eyre said.

The pilot project was announced in June of this year and was developed in response to a report that indicated Calgarians “experiencing crises related to mental health and addiction issues” need more support.

The project’s goal is to reduce and “eventually eliminate” a police presence and its response to people in crisis.

Groups were being sought by the city to lead the pilot project.

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The city says the research in the report assessed Calgary’s current crisis response system. Peer support is defined as “emotional and practical support between two people who share a common experience, such as a mental health challenge or illness,” according to Peer Support Canada.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says the pilot project is the “best practice model” where professional mental health practitioners can help Calgarians going through their “darkest times.”

“The city is facing complex problems that can only be solved when we all work together. Over the past year, we’ve convened a wide range of partners who have worked diligently to create the Community Mobile Crisis Response pilot,” Gondek said.

“These teams will ensure that people in crisis, and the community members affected by the situation receive the right support by the right providers at the right time. I am confident that this pilot will have a positive impact on our city, and I want to thank everyone involved for working together in new ways.”

Calgary Police Service (CPS) and the city have allocated $2.5 million for the pilot project. The investment came from the Community Safety Framework, which is a shared partnership between the city and CPS.

One of the goals of the framework is to “transform Calgary’s approach to supporting Calgarians experiencing crisis.”

“The more we continue to come together across systems, the more we can continue to ease the burden of those in crisis who are having to navigate the system,” said CPS Chief Const. Mark Neufeld.

“Our collaborative approach continues to help us find a better and more appropriate way to respond to the needs of Calgarians in crisis. Our commitment to working with partners to help Calgarians now and in the future is integral to community safety for all of us.”

People can visit the City of Calgary’s website for more information about the mobile teams.