A partnership between Interior Health and the Cranbrook RCMP is connecting people in mental health and substance-use crises with clinical support before situations escalate.
Cranbrook has an Integrated Crisis Response Outreach Liaison (ICROL), a clinician who responds alongside RCMP officers to situations involving mental health and substance-use issues. The ICROL’s role is to provide support, de-escalate situations and use harm-reduction approaches to connect people with services.
Chelsey Weisbecker was hired for Cranbrook’s ICROL role. She works directly with people in crisis, helping them access support early and reducing the need for more serious interventions.
“My passion for trauma and crisis work began in the Emergency Department, where I saw firsthand how critical those first moments of intervention can be in shaping a person’s outcome,” said Chelsey Weisbecker, Integrated Crisis Response Clinician RCMP Liaison.
Weisbecker’s approach and skills highlight the impact of human connection.
“This role as the integrated crisis response clinician has allowed me to take that work one step closer- to be present from the very beginning of a crisis, often in the immediate aftermath of trauma, mental health emergencies, or substance related crises, when people are at their most vulnerable. To be trusted in those moments, and to know that my presence may help create safety, hope, and a path forward, is a privilege I never take lightly.” said Weisbecker.
Cranbrook RCMP Sgt. Stu Hert said the partnership with Weisbecker helps connect health care and policing more effectively, making it easier for people to access mental health and substance-use services.
“With a foot in both the health care and policing world, Chelsey is able to bridge the gap between the two and ensure effective transition from crisis response to on-going care,” said Hert.
Hert said the program has been valuable because it helps people receive appropriate care before situations become more severe and that Weisbecker has proven herself to be an essential part of the program.
“Chelsey has been an excellent addition to our service delivery model. She has demonstrated the value of the program not only in crisis intervention, but also in her ability to connect clients with appropriate care or services to help avoid reaching the point of crisis. Seamlessly integrating with our team and establishing her credibility in the crucible of frontline police response, Chelsey exemplifies the values of compassion, respect and excellence in service that make up our guiding principles.” said Hert.
Sean Airth, manager of clinical operations, said strong relationships between clinicians and RCMP officers are helping identify people who need support sooner and connect them with community resources that improve their health and well-being.
“Through these clinicians, we are able to support clients and families more effectively while they try to navigate the health care system during some very challenging moments. Because of the relationships Chelsey has developed within the RCMP, we have had the opportunity to identify individuals in need of support early on, allowing vulnerable people to connect with community resources that have improved their health and wellbeing.” said Airth.
The ICROL program was launched in February 2024 in several Interior Health communities, including Cranbrook, Nelson, Trail and Williams Lake.
The program aims to provide a more compassionate response to mental health and substance-use crises by helping people access support earlier and improving co-ordination between health care services and police.
