Transforming Calgary’s Crisis Response System: Final Report

Originally published: 2021

Throughout Canada, research and practice focused on responding to crisis due to mental health concerns, addictions, and similar challenges is gaining momentum. Calgary is no exception – Calgary’s Community Safety Investment Framework (CSIF), a collaboration between the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Services, and community partners, has explored the city’s crisis response and identified a need to improve support for Calgarians experiencing crises related to these issues. The city needs an equitable and effective crisis response system to improve the well-being of its citizens.

On behalf of the CSIF’s collaborating organizations, Centre for Suicide Prevention and PolicyWise for Children & Families have provided a report including a set of evidence-informed recommendations. The recommendations can guide the creation of an equitable and effective crisis response system in Calgary, one that provides lifesaving mental health care. The report was informed by a rapid literature scan, a current state assessment and analysis of administrative data from crisis response programs and services, identification and review of promising models of crisis response, and intensive engagement with key stakeholders and persons with lived experience of crisis. It is a blueprint for building a comprehensive crisis response system, one that provides lifesaving mental health care. The report builds on many successful crisis response initiatives and processes currently operating in the city and focuses on changes that can be made to strengthen the system, address gaps, and improve quality of care.

The recommendations propose changes that can be made to strengthen Calgary’s crisis response system. The recommendations proposed along with implementation considerations can ultimately guide the planning and implementation of an equitable and effective crisis response system.

Read the report