The Saskatchewan RCMP is keeping registered psychiatric nurses on its Operational Communication Centre on a permanent basis. RCMP are also bringing in two more nurses for a total of four.
The program started as a 12-month pilot project, which involved nurses providing assistance to 911 callers experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as to RCMP officers responding to scenes of mental health crises.
Mounties have provided positive feedback about the nurses.
“It feels nice to know, when going out on these calls, that we have someone in our back pocket with the expertise and knowledge to allow us to provide a valuable service and referrals for the people we see going through a crisis.” said one RCMP officer.
“It is so helpful to have another option besides taking persons in crisis to cells or hospitals, when neither are great options most of the time. I am so grateful the nurses do thorough assessments and put in the supports right away.” said another officer.
There was also positive feedback among callers who have spoken with these nurses.
“This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Thank you for being able to talk to me and get me help.” said one caller.
“I was treated like a person. To have someone there at the lowest point in my life really made a difference in how I got through the crisis and how I feel about the RCMP. Police officers haven’t always been my best friends, but I understand now they are there to support me and offer me assistance.” another caller said.
Numbers from the pilot project show 99.8 percent of callers experiencing a mental health crisis agreed to speak with a nurse; 80 percent of the callers assessed by a nurse immediately received referrals to be admitted to a mental health and/or addiction service; and 71 percent of the callers assessed by a nurse avoided being driven by a police officer to an Emergency Department to get a diagnosis and/or treatment.
These nurses are available Monday to Thursday from 12 p.m. to midnight, as well as Friday to Sunday 24 hours a day.