MICA

DEVELOPING NEW MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE MODELS - AN ACTION PLAN GOING FORWARD

New mental health crisis response models aimed at connecting people to more effective and robust mental health systems are being considered and developed by many Canadian cities, including Ottawa. Caregivers are often at ground zero of the mental health crisis of their loved ones and so their perspective and the perspective of organizations serving those living with a mental illness are critical to the redesign of a crisis response. Failing to include these perspectives risks missing the mark.

The Mental Illness Caregiver Association (MICA), wishing to have input to the design of a new mental health crisis response for Ottawa, recently put out an 8-stage model with recommendations that describes the thoughts, feelings and expectations of caregivers when a 911 mental health crisis call is made. It was sent to caregivers as well as organizations serving caregivers and those living with a mental illness, with the ultimate goal to dig deeper into caregivers’ needs, to understand what other organizations are working on and possibilities for collaboration.

AN ACTION PLAN

Based on What We Heard, our intent is to proceed with an action plan focused on undertaking the following projects in partnership with some of the organizations we engaged as we explore what more can be done to support persons living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders along the path to recovery:

The Mental Illness Caregiver Association (MICA), wishing to have input to the design of a new mental health crisis response for Ottawa, recently put out an 8-stage model with recommendations that describes the thoughts, feelings and expectations of caregivers when a 911 mental health crisis call is made. It was sent to caregivers as well as organizations serving caregivers and those living with a mental illness, with the ultimate goal to dig deeper into caregivers’ needs, to understand what other organizations are working on and possibilities for collaboration.

PLANNED PROJECTS - NEXT 6 MONTHS

A Workshop 10 September in Toronto on Strategies for Reducing the Risk of Violence - When Police Interact with People Living with Mental Illness: A Caregiver’s Approach”

Involuntary Treatment and Consent and Capacity – a call to action focused on reforming our laws on involuntary treatment and privacy.

PLANNED PROJECTS - 6 TO 12 MONTHS

Mental Health First Aid Kit for Caregivers – An emergency preparedness plan

Conduct preliminary research - crisis stabilization and walk-in clinic

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