This interesting report points only to one factor affecting one population segment.
In our community in Ottawa, we know very well from which neighbourhoods most of the mental health-related 911 calls originate. Vulnerable populations in those neighbourhoods are victims of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage – not just racism.
Having police officers accompanied by trained mental health providers is the last thing needed in a mental health crisis chain that begins way more upstream.
Without upstream mental health support – without neighbourhood-based mental health support – only hoping that OPS would somehow deal with the issue at the tail end is mistaken.
CPO highlighted this issue back in 2014: https://lnkd.in/dezRD9e
It may be time for the CDF and other service providers to pave the way for providing timely, place-based mental health support to individuals and families in need.
Post #mentalhealth #suicideprevention #depression #healthequity #CPO #CDF #OPS #police #unitedforall
