Halifax has introduced a fresh initiative in the Dartmouth area to aid individuals in distress as an alternative to involving the police. The two-year trial program, known as CARE — Crisis Assistance and Response, was officially launched on Monday by the Halifax Regional Municipality. Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is overseeing the program, offering support to individuals aged 16 and above facing non-emergency, non-violent crises relating to mental health, personal well-being, or substance use.
The CARE team, comprising mobile members, is equipped to provide assistance such as crisis de-escalation, safety planning, aiding individuals in reaching a secure location, and linking them with community resources. Trained in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention, the team is committed to respectfully and effectively serving individuals from diverse backgrounds, including African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and neurodivergent communities.
The pilot project will cater to individuals across Dartmouth (within Highway 111), Woodlawn, and Cole Harbour from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday. The service will expand to operate 24/7 starting January 2026. Municipal community safety staff will supervise the program, handling evaluation and coordination tasks.
For assistance, individuals can dial 211, where a dispatcher will assess the suitability of the CARE team for the situation. Cases involving violence or weapons should still be reported by calling 911 as per the release. Both Halifax Regional Police and Halifax RCMP have expressed support for civilian-led initiatives to enhance service provision and free up officers for police-related responsibilities.
The implementation of a civilian crisis model follows recommendations from Halifax’s 2022 report on defunding the police, the Mass Casualty Commission in 2023, and other relevant research. This initiative is aligned with the city’s public safety strategy, which received approval from the regional council in 2023.
The launch of the CARE team closely follows a recent report by the Serious Incident Response Team highlighting delays and challenges within the health-care system concerning a 25-year-old Halifax man who died during a police arrest earlier this year. The report revealed that in the incident, despite repeated calls for Emergency Health Services, no paramedics were dispatched. Additionally, the man’s mother sought assistance from the provincial mental health mobile crisis team but was informed of a two-day wait due to understaffing.
The mental health mobile crisis team, which includes social workers, nurses, and specially trained police officers, offers round-the-clock telephone support to individuals across the province and in-person assistance within the Halifax region.
