Province continues support of Saskatoon's PACT program
CBC News | Posted: November 28, 2014 5:12 PM | Last Updated: November 28, 2014
Program helps police better respond to mental health crises
The Government of Saskatchewan announced today it is continuing its support of Saskatoon's Police and Crisis Team (PACT).
The program, which is first of its kind in the province, is designed to change the way mental health crises are handled in the city.
Corrections and Policing, through the Ministry of Justice, provided $220,000 for two police officer positions. The Ministry of Health provided $250,000 funding for two mental health worker positions.
Each unit is made up of a police officer and a mental health worker from the Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service. They work together when responding to mental health crises in the city.
The goal is to reduce safety risks and to make sure people experiencing mental health crises receive the right medical assistance.
After the 2012 pilot of the program, the first PACT unit began operating in June 2014. A second unit was added this fall.
Officers respond to about 5,000 calls per year that involve someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Since the program began, the unit responded to more than 80 mental health crises.