Mental health response pilot program launching in Centretown

The City of Ottawa is looking for an organization to lead its ‘Safer Alternate Response for Mental Health and Substance Use Crises Response Group’.

A request for proposal to select a not-for-profit social service group to lead the programs pilot will open next Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Ottawa City Council approved the response team in July, with the first phase set to focus on wellness, through prioritizing prevention and when required, crisis intervention.

The first phase has three key components which are call diversion from 9-1-1, a community based response team, and the establishment of a network that supports community agencies operating within a specific geographic area that can support clients on an ongoing basis.

The downtown community of Centretown has been selected as the first neighbourhood to have a crisis team under this new program.

Somerset Ward Councillor Ariel Troster posted on the social media platform X that they’re delighted to have part of their riding selected for this new crisis response program.

The pilot project will launch in 2024.

I am delighted to let you know that Centretown has been selected by the Guiding Council on Mental Health and Addictions as the location for a pilot project that will launch in 2024.

— ArielTroster (she/her) (@ArielTroster) September 26, 2023

This project is led by the Guiding Council for Mental Health and Addictions whose work was grounded in research evidence, leading practices, and Ottawa residents’ in-depth perspectives developed through years of lived experience. https://t.co/6Uq2b0uVKR

— ArielTroster (she/her) (@ArielTroster) September 26, 2023