The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division renames innovative service providing community-led crisis response
VANCOUVER, BC – (March 18, 2025): Since its official launch in 2023, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division’s (CMHA BC) Peer Assisted Care Teams (PACT) have supported thousands of people experiencing a mental health crisis in BC. Developed in response to the need for a more appropriate, trauma-informed approach to supporting people in crisis, this service now has a new name to better represent its vision and values: CRCL.
Pronounced “circle,” CRCL stands for Crisis Response, Community Led. This mobile service provides a compassionate, trauma-informed response to people aged 13 years and older who are experiencing a mental health crisis in six communities throughout BC.
CRCL, formerly known as PACT, is changing the way we support people by providing the right response at the right time and freeing up police resources to focus on public safety. In the first two years of service, 98.8% of calls were responded to by CRCL crisis responders without the need for police intervention.
“We are honoured to introduce CRCL, a life-saving service that has helped so many people already as PACT,” says Jonny Morris, CEO, CMHA BC. “Since January 2023, the teams have collectively attended nearly 10,000 calls, providing the right care at the right time. This is transforming how we help community members experiencing crisis in their journey to well-being. We are grateful to the Province of BC for their continued support of this vital initiative.”
CRCL’s new name and logo represent a compassionate circle of support that meets people where they are, on their own terms. The brand identity was developed in collaboration and consultation with expertise from a range of partners, including the existing CRCL service providers supporting people in community.
“When people are in crisis because of mental health or substance use challenges, they must be met with care and compassion,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Under the new name of CRCL, this service will continue to connect people to supports when they are most vulnerable and them help on their pathway to healing. CRCL is a vital part of our Government’s work to build a seamless system of mental health and substance use care that works for everyone.”
Community members can call CRCL for help if they are feeling distress, experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or are concerned that someone else may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Trained dispatchers assess incoming calls and determine whether an in-person response is required. If so, a team of crisis responders will attend to reduce distress, provide safety, develop crisis care plans, provide referrals to other services and offer post-crisis follow-up.
Funded by the Province of BC, CRCL teams, formerly known as PACT, currently operate in North and West Vancouver (CMHA North & West Vancouver), New Westminster (Lower Mainland Purpose Society), Victoria (AVI Health and Community Services), Prince George (Prince George Native Friendship Centre), and Comox Valley (AVI Heath and Community Services in partnership with K’ómoks First Nation), with a team in Kamloops (Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society) ready to launch soon. If you or someone else is experiencing a crisis, you can connect with the service provider in your community directly to seek support. For more information, including ways to contact, visit CRCL.ca.
If you are witnessing or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.
If you need someone to talk to or are looking for mental health resources, find help now.
Additional Quotes
CRCL Prince George
“When someone is in the midst of a mental health crisis, the world can feel overwhelmingly isolating. A compassionate response doesn’t just address the immediate need, it reminds people that they are not alone. Mental health struggles are very real, and when we show empathy, understanding, and patience, we help restore the human connection that can so easily be lost in moments of crisis.” – Kavita Parmar, Clinical Supervisor, Prince George Native Friendship Centre
“The presence of CRCL in our community has made a profound difference in how we respond to mental health crises. It has shifted our approach, offering not just a listening ear, but a sense of hope. The support we provide is now more thoughtful, understanding, and focused on treating people with dignity. It’s helping individuals feel more seen and heard, not as problems to be solved, but as people who deserve care.” – Nicole King-Smith, Director of Health, Prince George Native Friendship Centre
CRCL Kamloops
“I cannot express how proud and grateful I am to be part of the community crisis response team and Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society. This is a vital service that has long been needed by communities across the province and we are so excited to be here and supporting people in crisis in Kamloops.” – Ben Hawthorne, CRCL Team Coordinator, Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society
CRCL North Shore
“A compassionate mental health response in a crisis preserves dignity, reduces distress, and fosters trust between individuals and support systems. Empathy and understanding help de-escalate situations, prevent harm, and encourage long-term care. Without compassion, individuals may feel further isolated, worsening their mental health struggles. The CRCL model embodies this compassionate approach, providing timely and supportive interventions that have strengthened the North Shore community by ensuring individuals receive care when they need it most.” – Talayeh Jamshidi, Executive Director of CMHA North & West Vancouver
CRCL Victoria
“CRCL is a life-saving service that centres kindness and compassion. We are honoured to walk alongside individuals, families and communities using the service, and believe every person experiencing a mental health crisis is deserving of a response that supports their unique needs.” – Lacey Mesley, Community-Led Crisis Response Team Director, AVI Health & Community Services Victoria
CRCL Comox Valley
“We are very excited about the collective transition to the CRCL brand, we see the future of CRCL strengthening with this cohesive branding across BC. The idea that a person can be in Victoria, Prince George, or New West and know that there is a mental health crisis response team in that community that will provide safe, trauma informed, de-escalated focused response. This is a major positive shift in how we care for those experiencing a mental health crisis.” – Sarah Delaney-Spindler, Senior Director- North Island, AVI Health & Community Services Comox
More Information
Join CMHA BC’s webinar on April 2 from 1-2 PM to celebrate CRCL, learn about its origins and development, and hear from service providers about the impact of this community-led crisis response. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER.
About
CMHA BC
Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division (CMHA BC) is part of one of Canada’s most enduring and recognized charitable organizations, working towards a vision of Canada where everyone can realize their human right to their best possible mental health. In addition to mental health promotion, training and education and direct delivery of mental health services, we engage in advocacy to improve the mental health and substance use systems of care in BC.
Contact
604 353 8159
Media@cmha.bc.ca