RCMP detachments in the Interior now have access to HealthIM

Police agencies, health-care providers and people in crisis in the Interior will benefit from the launch of a digital public safety tool to support officer response to people in crisis.

HealthIM will be launched in the Thompson and Shuswap regions which encompasses Merritt and area is expected to launch on Wednesday.

HealthIM is a digital public-safety system to improve emergency police response in mental-health and addiction crisis situations, increasing safety for first responders, health-care providers and the person in crisis. By facilitating better communication, HealthIM aims to help officers gain insight into the factors behind a person’s behaviour, leading to more informed and compassionate interactions.

In a media release, Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General wrote “HealthIM has proven to be a valuable asset to help police officers safely and effectively de-escalate complex situations by promoting safer interactions with people in crisis. Our government will continue to make meaningful investments to support law enforcement in responding to a mental-health or substance-use emergency as the program rolls out provincewide this year.”

According to the release, the responding officer will be guided through a series of questions using HealthIM to help facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis. The system also improves communication with health-care partners by using consistent clinical language, and provides critical information to doctors and nurses immediately. Other benefits include:

• The assessment of risk of harm to self or others, which helps determine the best way a person can receive help
• Provides specific safety and de-escalation information about the person to facilitate a trauma-informed response, leading to better outcomes
• Alerts health-care partners to incoming people escorted by emergency responders, and flags instances of weapon possession and/or violent behaviour
• A risk of harm-analysis history can be developed over time, providing insight into how to assist those with previous police interactions

Merritt RCMP and the B.C. Highway Patrol in Merritt will have access to Health IM when the app is launched at RCMP detachments on Wednesday, May 27.