The Niagara Regional Police Service Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) provide outreach and support to Niagara residents who are in crisis with mental health issues. The team is comprised of health care professionals and Niagara Regional Police Officers who are trained in mental health and crisis intervention. This initiative is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and by the Local Health Integrated Network. The COAST Unit has been operational since November 2011 and has 2 plain clothes police officers currently assigned to the unit.

Mandate:

The COAST Unit responds to calls involving mental health crisis that are not deemed to be an emergency. The COAST Unit can be contacted through the Niagara Crisis Line phone number listed below, where information will be collected and assessed by a qualified health professional. If required, the mobile team (COAST) will respond in an unmarked police cruiser and conduct a mental health assessment onsite. A plan will be implemented which best suits the needs of the individual and the individual will be connected with community programs as required. This support extends to both the client and their families.

The Crisis Line is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The mobile response team works Monday to Saturday - noon to midnight and Sunday - noon to 8 pm. The officers in this unit are highly trained in the area of Crisis Intervention Techniques, General Investigative Techniques, and the Mental Health Act of Ontario.

This is not a rapid-response service. For life threatening emergencies please call 9-1-1.

Further information on the COAST Unit can be found on the following websites:

COAST Niagara Crisis Outreach and Support Team

INCommunities - 211

Pathstone Mental Health

Alzheimer Society Niagara Region

To contact the Niagara COAST Office, please call: (24 hours, 7 days a week) the Niagara Crisis Line at 1-866-550-5205.  

girl and text 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime