Effectiveness of Canadian police and mental health co-response crisis teams: A scoping review

ABSTRACT

People with mental health concerns are over-represented in police-involved deaths in Canada. Calls for alternative responses to people in crisis have generated interest in programs that partner police with mental health professionals. This review summarizes what is known about the effectiveness of co-response programs in meeting client and community needs. Methods followed PRISMA-ScR standards. Eight studies evaluating Canadian co-response programs were included. Co-response programs can reduce involuntary hospital transport, improve referrals, and decrease emergency department wait times. Research is needed to determine whether they reduce the use of force and meet client’s needs in the community.

KEYWORDS:

• Crisis Intervention
• crisis outreach
• mental health
• police co-response
• scoping review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval

Research included in this manuscript has not involved human subjects and does not require REB/IRB approval

Originality

The following is original work, has not been previously published, and is not under consideration at another journal.

Additional information

Funding

This research is financially supported by the Canadian Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Grant [#752-2020-1683].