The program that pairs police with nurses to respond to mental health has already been making a difference in Penticton ahead of its official launch on Jan. 22.

The Mobile Integrated Crisis Response team members, colloquially known as Car 40 after the version of the program in Kamloops, hit the streets and began to introduce themselves to the vulnerable members of the community in December.

It91裸聊视频檚 the culmination of several years of advocacy from the city on the need for the program in the community.

91裸聊视频淭his is a great step forward, but it91裸聊视频檚 not the only step,91裸聊视频� said Mayor Julius Bloomfield. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e still got a lot of work to do, but we are very thankful that this day has come.91裸聊视频�

The program will initially work during the day for 12-hour shifts seven days a week where a nurse and officer will be available to divert calls for people in a crisis who would otherwise have received a police response.

Although the program has only been active for a few weeks since the team91裸聊视频檚 initial introductions to the community in December, differences are already being made, with one example shared by Penticton RCMP Supt. Beth McAndie.

91裸聊视频淒uring one of these visits, an officer and nurse were able to provide an on-scene referral for immediate medical care to an individual experiencing a significant and potentially life-threatening health issue, working in partnership with other members of Interior Health,91裸聊视频� said McAndie. 91裸聊视频淭his team was able to normalize the presence of nurses in and around our community shelters, facilitating much-needed medical care that had previously been declined by our clients.91裸聊视频�

In addition to responding to crisis calls, the team will be doing proactive work in the community, with discussions at local high schools on mental health and addictions, as well as reaching out to the vulnerable members of the community.

The hope that was expressed by all those who spoke at the announcement was the hope that the program would make a difference in the lives of people in the community battling mental health issues and addictions.

91裸聊视频淎 lot of times it91裸聊视频檚 that first point of contact that becomes the real barrier to being able to help people,91裸聊视频� said Jenel Young, one of the registered psychiatric nurses attached to the project. 91裸聊视频淚 feel like we91裸聊视频檝e already been able to break down some of those barriers and connect people to service to help improve their quality of life.91裸聊视频�

The funding for the program is split between the RCMP and Interior Health, which received funding from the provincial government to expand access to mental-health and addiction care.