Kelowna residents who are experiencing mental health crises or know someone who needs help can now call a mobile crisis response program.
Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL) is a crisis response helpline launched by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna, which responds to mental health and substance use related crises.
It begins taking calls on March 10 and will respond to crises by offering support, de-escalation, follow-up care, and connection to health and social services.
“With CRCL officially underway, we are moving from vision to action, offering people experiencing a crisis with support that is compassionate, respectful, and centered on dignity and choice,” said Mike Gawliuk, CEO of CMHA Kelowna.
People going through a mental health crisis can access this service by calling or texting 778-940-2560 from 11a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day of the week. Calls can also be made on behalf of someone else needing support.
CMHA categorizes a mental health crisis as feelings of grief, panic, or anxiety, experiencing thoughts of self-harm, or general feelings of being overwhelmed.
More information about CRCL is available at: https://cmhakelowna.com/programs-supports/crisis-response-community-led-crcl.