Mobile CARE team delivers in-person help for non-emergency crises, easing pressure on emergency services
A new civilian-led crisis response team is now providing in-person mental health and substance use support in Dartmouth, NS.
This team offers an alternative to police intervention for non-emergency, non-violent situations.
According to recent reports from CTV News, this move could reshape how communities address mental health and social distress.
The CARE (Crisis, Assistance and Response) program, a partnership between Halifax Regional Municipality and community service providers, is designed to bridge gaps between existing emergency services and community needs.
The pilot, delivered by Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, dispatches trained mobile teams to assist individuals aged 16 and older with de-escalation, safety planning, and connections to community resources, as reported by CBC News.
Access to CARE is available through Nova Scotia’s 211 helpline, where community navigators assess each call and dispatch the mobile team if appropriate.
“So 211 Nova Scotia is the front door to CARE,” explained Rachel Boehm, Halifax’s executive director of community safety, in CTV News coverage.
The team does not respond to medical emergencies or situations involving weapons, which remain under the purview of 911 and police.
CARE staff receive training in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention, and are prepared to support individuals from diverse backgrounds, including African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and neurodivergent communities, as per CBC News.
The pilot currently operates weekdays from 8 am to 9 pm in Dartmouth, Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour, with plans to expand to 24/7 service in January 2026.
Oversight and evaluation will be ongoing for two years, with the goal of reducing pressure on emergency services and ensuring effective, inclusive support, according to Boehm in CTV News.
The launch follows recommendations from municipal research and the Mass Casualty Commission, and comes in the wake of a Serious Incident Response Team report highlighting gaps in crisis response after the death of a Halifax man during a police-involved incident earlier this year, as reported by CBC News.
Halifax Regional Police and RCMP have expressed support for civilian-led crisis teams to better serve community needs and free up police resources.
The CARE initiative reflects a broader shift toward community-based, preventative approaches to mental health and social well-being, with potential implications for workplace wellness, disability management, and the role of employers in supporting employee mental health.
