A new partnership between police and community mental health providers is coming to Northumberland County this spring.
The Mental Health Engagement and Response Team or M-Heart, will help support the justice and health care systems to better assist individuals with mental illness and/or addictions.
Existing Mental Health Response Officers will be accompanied on ride-alongs with a new M-Heart Social Worker or Mental Health Nurse to proactively engage with those who need help.
They’ll provide a mix of supports, including intensive case management, mental health therapeutic treatment, family supports, and links to hospital and community-based resources.
The Mental Health Nurse will also make medication administration and monitoring and metabolic monitoring immediately available in the field.
Northumberland Hills Hospital Manager of Mental Health Jennifer Cox says it gives them the opportunity to bring care to individuals in the community rather than waiting for people to come to them.
Funding for the program comes from the Central East LHIN.
It will be available through Northumberland OPP and Cobourg Police with plans to expand support to Port Hope Police in the near future.
