FAQ

What is a Peer Assisted Care Team?

Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) is a community-led mobile crisis response to a mental health crisis conducted by individuals with mental health expertise and lived and living experience/expertise. This model uses a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to support individuals during a mental health and/or substance use crisis connecting them to community support and services.

Who is funding this community-led initiative?

The Province of BC – Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction is a key partner and funder of the Peer Assisted Care Team Model in BC.
In the inception year (2021-2022), we received funding from Municipalities in North Vancouver, Victoria, and New Westminster to support this pilot.
CMHA BC engages with Municipalities, First Nations, Community organizations, and various community stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the teams.

What is a community-led approach?

A community-led approach is client-centered services administered by community organizations that know community needs, knowledge, services, and resources to help individuals and families navigate their needs.
This is a consent-based service where the service is designed based on user or participant needs and available community support.

Who is on the team?

Peer-Assisted Care Teams delivering the service are all trained individuals with experience providing culturally safe and trauma-informed responses to people experiencing mental health and/or substance use crises.
The mobile response is provided by two individuals with lived and/or living expertise/experience and mental health expertise.
Teams include supervision and support from other mental health professionals, managers, and administration within the organization. Members of the teams are employees of a local community organization, where CMHA BC offers training and oversight to the teams.
Team members are hired based on their experience, education, and various factors outlined in a job description. All team members go through an evidence-based training curriculum that prepares them to respond to various crises.

Who can access support and service from PACT?

PACT offers support to individuals 13+ and their families experiencing crises relating to mental health or substance use in a specific local community area.

Are the police or first responders involved in a response by PACT?

When you connect with PACT via text/call – a trained professional assesses the crisis. If a team is dispatched to provide in-person support – two members will go out into the community to respond.
The team does not carry weapons, have a uniform, or have sirens. They have no authority to arrest or detain persons against their will.
If there is a risk of harm, violence, medical emergency, or fire the team will connect with 9-1-1 for support upon assessing the situation.
Emergency Services and police may connect with PACT to require assistance in response.

Does PACT provide medical support?

Members of the team are trained in basic first aid and will contact emergency services if immediate medical attention is required.
The choice of going to a hospital is a decision that rests with the individual. The team will provide information and support them if they decide that going to a hospital is the right choice for them.
PACTs are not part of Health Authorities and do not share confidential information or apprehend individuals under the Mental Health Act.

What do teams respond to?

PACT will respond to crisis calls from individuals, their families, and communities when someone is experiencing distress related to mental health or substance use.

What do teams NOT respond to?

What communities have PACTs?

The current communities that have PACTs are New Westminster, North and West Vancouver, and Victoria.
In 2023, the Province of BC announced Kamloops, Prince George, and Comox Valley, service will begin in Summer 2024.

How is PACT expanding in BC?

CMHA BC has a total of 6 communities in the PACT Provincial network funded by the  Province of BC.
CMHA BC works closely with the Province of BC and continues to undertake research and engagement of these pilot programs.
Communities and organizations are welcome to connect with CMHA BC to learn more about PACT by emailing PACT@cmha.bc.ca.

Is each PACT in each community different?

Peer Assisted Care Team is an evidence-based model based on Provincial standards.
Each community is unique and therefore we anticipate the expertise, types of calls, and resources available to vary from community to community.

How is CMHA BC engaging with communities?

CMHA BC is committed to uplifting the voices of lived and living experiences in the work we do.
In 2023, CMHA BC received many inquiries from communities across BC through the Recommend Your Community engagement to learn more about mental health ecosystems in various communities.
CMHA BC has offered and continues to offer community info sessions to support community education and understanding about Peer Assisted Care Teams.
CMHA BC actively supports engagement in communities alongside selected service providers to support them in planning for a service that will meet the needs of their communities, including but not limited to First Nations, Health Authorities, community social service agencies, and people with lived and living experience.

Are there Indigenous-led PACTs?

Funding has been set aside for 2 Indigenous-led teams which are yet to be identified. These teams funded by the Province of BC will be overseen by Indigenous-led organizations.

Can I volunteer or help in some way?

We appreciate your interest in PACT. Members of the PACT teams are employees of community service providers providing the PACT service. You can subscribe to our newsletter to stay engaged about the work CMHA BC is doing or look to your local PACT teams about employment opportunities.
You can support PACT through promotion and public awareness with your network.

I have a compliment, concern, or question about PACT or a local PACT team, how can I file it?

Highlight Bar