Experiencing a mental health crisis isn’t confined to a certain time of the day, and the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) are striving to ensure no one “falls through the cracks” by increasing after-hours support for Cobourg and other Northumberland County residents in need.
On Wednesday (May 28), CPS and NHH announced the expansion of the Mental Health Engagement and Response Team (M-HEART) program into the afternoons and evenings.
The M-HEART program is an initiative that’s comprised of one officer from CPS and one mental health clinician from NHH’s community mental health services. Together, they engage directly with people experiencing mental health issues or substance use concerns.
The expansion is possible as a result of funding the program received through the Ontario government’s Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant, which has allocated more than $4.5 million to 40 police services and Ontario Provincial Police detachments across Ontario to strengthen their mobile crisis response teams.
With the number of mental health calls to the Cobourg Police Service continuing to climb, the provincial funding will support deployment of a second M-HEART team for afternoon and evening coverage.
“The goal of expanding the M-HEART program is to provide continuous and timely mental health support to individuals in crisis, particularly during times when services are less accessible,” Lisa Munday, manager of communications and strategic planning for CPS, shared with kawarthaNOW on behalf of the police service.
“Police response to mental health calls continues to increase. In 2024, officers responded to 559 mental health calls for service and conducted 1,468 wellness checks,” Munday said. “This expansion aims to reduce the strain on emergency services, prevent the escalation of mental health crises, and ensure that individuals receive support promptly and proactively.”
Since its inception in 2017, the M-HEART partnership has provided urgent mobile support to individuals and families in Northumberland County who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The expansion addresses the growing community needs and ensures a M-HEART team will be available to help people when it’s needed most, a media release stated.
“As health care providers, it’s critical for us to continue finding innovative ways to make care accessible for everyone, not only in our community, but surrounding catchment areas,” said NHH president and CEO Susan Walsh in a statement. “The expansion of M-HEART services will help us break down barriers to care and deliver support to those in need during a crisis situation.”
M-HEART has already been a critical service in Cobourg and surrounding communities, noted Kate Zimmerman, NHH vice-present of integrated care and chief nursing executive.
“By expanding this service, we are making mental health care more accessible and ensuring residents receive the support they need in their time of crisis,” Zimmerman said.
The M-HEART program is designed to improve police interactions by “fostering an integrated and proactive approach to mental health crises.” The approach focuses on engagement, risk reduction, and connecting people with services right when they need the support.
The partners said the mobile outreach provides immediate intervention, helping to avoid escalation or involvement with the justice system. In addition, M-HEART works closely with partner organizations to provide comprehensive assessment, intervention, and referrals.
“M-HEART is a unique and essential service that strengthens the mental health support network in Northumberland,” said CPS Chief Paul VandeGraaf. “This expansion is a direct response to the increasing demand for mental health services, and it ensures that no one in our community falls through the cracks.”
The expansion will help better address community wellness and safety priorities, offering immediate support to individuals in crisis and mitigating barriers such as transportation and system navigation, according to the release.
In addition, the partnership “reaffirms the commitment of CPS and NHH to enhancing the mental health and safety of residents, helping reduce crisis situations, and improving overall community well-being.”
