1. The Mobile Crisis Intervention Team A Partnership Program Between St
The Mobile Crisis Intervention Team A Partnership Program Between St. Michael's Hospital and Toronto Police Divisions 51 & 52
Sarah Fabro, RN, MN in progress, BScN PC Richard Akunyili
St. Michael’s Hospital, MCIT Division, TPS

2. Background St. Michael’s MCIT was implemented in 2000
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Background
St. Michael’s MCIT was implemented in 2000
First program of its kind in Toronto
Launched following several high profile coroners’ inquests including Edmund Yu (1997)
Coroners inquest recommendations for such a team and that the police have some collaboration with the mental health system

3. Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
MCIT Model
The program partners a police officer from Division 51 or 52 and a SMH mental health nurse who respond to 911 and police emergency dispatch calls involving emotionally disturbed persons (EDP)
Mental health nurse funded by MOHLTC

4. Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
MCIT Goals
Provide on site mobile crisis intervention services to mentally or emotionally disturbed individuals
Provide field police with access to mental health expertise
Divert mentally ill individuals from the criminal justice system to mental health treatment services as appropriate
Reduce inappropriate and lengthy emergency room use for both clients and police, where possible

5. Hours of Operation The program uses an unmarked police car
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Hours of Operation
The program uses an unmarked police car
It operates 10 hours per day from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, 365 days a year

6. When is MCIT Called? Crisis situations that require police
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
When is MCIT Called?
Crisis situations that require police
High potential for violence
Threats of suicide
When unable to gain access to a person with mental illness who is unwell
When it is critical to get an mentally ill individual to the hospital as soon as possible

7. Client Population Serious mental illness Homeless Substance abuse
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Client Population
Serious mental illness
Homeless
Substance abuse
HIV, Aids
Other organic medical problems
Low socioeconomic and education status
Uncertain legal and citizenship status

8. Bloor to Lakeshore, and from Spadina to the Don Valley Parkway
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Geographic Area
Bloor to Lakeshore, and from Spadina to the Don Valley Parkway
Smallest divisions
within the TPS
(1.6 km w X 8 km)
High immigrant, refugee population
Densely populated
over 200,000
people
Substantial transient population
Large ethnic and cultural mix
Extreme economic polarization

9. Toronto MCITs St. Michael’s Hospital – Division 51, 52 (2000)
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Toronto MCITs
St. Michael’s Hospital – Division 51, 52 (2000)
St. Joseph’s Health Centre – Divisions 11, 14 (2006)
The Scarborough Hospital – Divisions 41, 42, 43 (2007)
Humber River Regional Hospital – Divisions 12, 13, 31 (2009)
NEW this year
Toronto East General Hospital – Divisions 54,55

10. How To Access EMERGENCY: call 911 NON EMERGENCY: call 416-808-2222
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
How To Access
EMERGENCY: call 911
NON EMERGENCY: call
**The MCIT is a 2nd response therefore the Team always responds to calls with regular police officers

11. Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
MCIT Services
Team arrives at the scene, makes an immediate assessment of the situation, intervenes, does what it can to divert the individual from serious problem or harm, and then arranges for mental health treatment (if appropriate)
Referrals to community resources such as safe beds, shelters, case management etc.
Short term follow up (telephone or in person)

12. Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Benefits
Combined mental health and police expertise leads to better care
Clients seen in their own settings
Non threatening approach to clients / families
Ability of the officer to apprehend persons at risk on scene (Section 17 of the MHA)
Short term follow up or referrals to community resources

13. Benefits Decreased need for hospital ED visits
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Benefits
Decreased need for hospital ED visits
Decreased police time at scene/spent in ED
Decreased criminalization of the mentally ill

14. Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Thank You!
Questions?