Halton Crisis Plan and Protocol

Information posted March 20, 2013

The following is quoted from the Mississauga Halton LHIN website,  www.mississaugahaltonlhin.on.ca. To go directly to this information please click here.

Halton Crisis Plan and Protocol

Working as a team to improve emergency response and support for individuals with a mental illness during a crisis.

A community effort in Halton is underway to support individuals with mental illness during a time of crisis. Funded by the Mississauga Halton LHIN, the Halton Crisis Plan and Protocol is the result of a partnership between Summit Housing & Outreach Programs, the Halton Regional Police Service and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Region. The protocol is designed to ensure police and social services work together as a team to:

  • Support the emergency response provided to individuals with a mental illness in crisis
  • Increase the effectiveness and cohesiveness of crisis services for the Halton Region
  • Promote the use of the common crisis plan to improve service coordination for individuals who are likely to use crisis services

The common crisis plan is a document voluntarily completed by an individual with mental illness. It outlines critical information such as triggers and warning signs that typically precede a crisis as well as what would and would not be helpful for the individual during the crisis. A pre-established crisis plan can be an essential tool for police and community services to provide a comprehensive response to an individual experiencing a crisis.

The collaborative efforts of police and community agencies along with the common crisis plan and the protocol, aim to provide supplementary supports as well as reduce rates of criminal reoffending and emergency department visits by individuals with mental illness.

The official launch of the Halton Crisis Plan and Protocol will be on Wednesday, March 20 at Oakville Conference Centre where an introduction and training will be held for direct service providers, trainers and Halton Regional Police. A keynote address will be followed by the signing of the protocol by Summit Housing & Outreach Programs, the Halton Regional Police Service and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Halton Region.

“These partnerships in our community are critical to bridging the gap and finding solutions for those individuals with mental illness experiencing crisis. Working cross functionally and most importantly collectively with individuals with mental illness, additional supports can be put in place to ensure the best response, one that embodies respect, dignity and compassion.”
―Kevin Flynn, MPP, Oakville