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The Government of Yukon and Yukon RCMP highlight the one-year success of the Mobile Crisis Response Team

Nov. 8, 2023, Whitehorse, Yukon – October 31 marked the one-year anniversary of the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), also known as Car 867, which is a collaboration between the Government of Yukon and the Yukon RCMP “M” Division. This initiative was developed in response to the need for specialized mental health crisis intervention and now forms a part of the government’s response to the Substance Use Health Emergency. Car 867 pairs police officers with mental health nurses to offer immediate, specialized care to those in distress.

From Oct. 31, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023, the Whitehorse RCMP Detachment was involved in 716 incidents that included a mental health component. Car 867 was the initial responder in 145 of these occasions (20 per cent) and was directly involved in 273 cases (38 per cent), assisting with both immediate responses and follow-ups. The presence of the mental health nurse within the team has led to effective assessment of the acute needs of individuals, and aid RCMP members in their duties to seek assessment of individuals at the hospital when needed. The nurse can make effective referrals and connections to out-patient social and health services.

The combined expertise of the Government of Yukon and the Yukon RCMP has been essential to the success of Car 867. The dedication of frontline police officers and mental health nurses has helped those facing mental health issues to receive the best possible care swiftly.

The first year of Car 867 has shown its positive impact in Whitehorse and has assisted Yukon communities on an ad-hoc basis. To build on this success, the Government of Yukon and the Yukon RCMP are looking at options to expand the Car 867 team. This commitment matches the goals set in the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy, under the Community Safety and Wellbeing area of growth.