Manitoba provides $290,000 annually for Brandon crisis response unit

The Manitoba government will provide $290,000 in ongoing annual funding to support the Prairie Mountain Health–Brandon Police Service Collaborative Crisis Response Unit, which pairs a police officer with a mental health clinician to respond to on-scene mental health calls.

The Manitoba government is supporting a collaborative crisis response unit in Brandon that brings mental health clinicians to the scene of police crisis calls. Launched last fall, the unit is a joint initiative between the Brandon Police Service and Prairie Mountain Health. It pairs a Brandon Police Service officer with a Prairie Mountain Health mental health clinician to de-escalate situations and provide clinical intervention. Officials describe the unit as operating seven days a week with year-round coverage and links to community supports. Key details: - The province is providing ongoing annual funding of $290,000 to Prairie Mountain Health to support the unit. - The unit launched last fall as a joint initiative between the Brandon Police Service and Prairie Mountain Health. - The response model pairs a BPS officer with a PMH mental health clinician and includes peer support workers from Peer Connections Manitoba. - Two Brandon Police Service constables are dedicated to the unit, and coverage is offered seven days a week with year-round operations. - Officials report the unit is reducing unnecessary hospital transfers and is intended to strengthen coordinated responses alongside existing crisis services. Summary: The funding supports staffing and the continued operation of the Prairie Mountain Health–Brandon Police Service Collaborative Crisis Response Unit. The collaborative model aims to de-escalate mental health crises, provide clinical care on scene and connect people to community services. The government also notes the project aligns with a broader mandate to increase mental health workers working alongside law enforcement.