qathet Regional District will write a letter of support for an application for a peer-assisted care team (PACT) in qathet region.
At the December 6 regional board meeting, directors reviewed correspondence from City of Powell River advocating Powell River for a PACT pilot program through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHC). According to correspondence from the city, the mental health association is advocating for community-led mobile response to better support those struggling with mental health in qathet region.
According to the CMHC website, PACT includes two trained individuals – one a trained peer with lived and living experience in mental health and/or substance use challenges, and a mental health professional. Four more communities are being sought to be part of the PACT provincial network.
City of Powell River director Cindy Elliott said that being named as a PACT community would mean peer-assisted responses to mental health calls would be available.
“They really help out as far as de-escalating and making sure people are a little more comfortable when people show up to help them,” said Elliott.
According to the correspondence suggested by the city, the increases in cost of living, isolation due to COVID-19, the toxic drug crisis and housing crisis have all contributed to increased mental health challenges and distress, and related social disorder, significantly impacting individuals, the community, emergency responders and local businesses. While responding to people in distress, the PACT program will act as a “much-needed alternative” to the RCMP, the correspondence stated.
The regional board unanimously supported the request for a letter of support.
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