New CARE Program Launches to Enhance Mental Health Support in Dartmouth

A new initiative aimed at improving mental health support has launched in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The program, called CARE (Crisis, Assistance and Response Team), focuses on providing in-person assistance for individuals facing non-emergency and non-violent crises related to substance use and mental health. This initiative is a collaboration between the Halifax Regional Municipality and local community service providers.

Rachel Boehm, the executive director of community safety for Halifax, explained the program’s structure. “211 Nova Scotia serves as the front door to CARE. Their community navigators field calls, assess if they are appropriate for care, prioritize them, and then dispatch our team,” she said. The service includes a mobile support team from Souls Harbour, which has a dedicated vehicle to respond to calls related to distress, social needs, and non-violent situations.

The program is set to run for two years, during which its effectiveness and ability to meet its goals will be evaluated. Boehm emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards for service delivery, including training staff to ensure that responses are trauma-informed and inclusive.

The initial response to the CARE program has been positive. Bamidele Bello, the city’s alternate response manager, noted that during the first week of operation, the service received four calls, including one from a community organization seeking assistance for a client. “It’s a service that is needed and, upon launch, it was welcomed with open arms,” Bello stated.

The CARE program aims to fill existing gaps in mental health support services, complementing resources like the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team and emergency services. “For individuals not experiencing acute crises, such as those dealing with relationship issues or recent trauma, our team can provide essential support,” Boehm added.

Accessing the program is straightforward; individuals in crisis or third parties can call 211. However, it is important to note that CARE will not respond to medical emergencies or situations involving weapons that could escalate to violence. Once a community navigator confirms the call is suitable for CARE, they will dispatch the mobile support team.

Currently, the pilot program operates from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, serving Dartmouth, Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour. Plans are in place for the program to expand to 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting in January 2024.

Boehm emphasized the importance of monitoring the program’s impact over the next two years. “If the program meets its stated goals and effectively connects individuals to the necessary support, we hope to expand its reach geographically and potentially involve additional service providers,” she said.

The CARE initiative represents a proactive step towards addressing mental health needs within the community while alleviating pressure on emergency services. For those in need of support, the program aims to bridge critical gaps and ensure that individuals receive the appropriate care they require.