B.C. expands mental health screening tool to help police in crisis response
British Columbia is expanding a mental health screening tool for police officers across more regions. The HealthIM system, already in use on southern Vancouver Island and parts of the province, will now reach the Thompson and Shuswap areas from Wednesday. Authorities say the tool helps officers respond more effectively to people in crisis. HealthIM works by guiding officers through a structured set of questions to assess someone experiencing a mental health emergency. It determines whether the person should be taken to an emergency room or directed to community-based services instead.
The system also improves how information is shared between police and healthcare workers. It records key details, including any history of violent behaviour, ensuring better communication when handing over cases. RCMP Supt. Michelle Tansey has praised the expansion, noting that it allows officers to provide more compassionate support in real time. Beyond British Columbia, HealthIM is already available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The province is funding the rollout with an annual investment of $2 million, covering municipal police departments and RCMP detachments across B.C.
The expansion means more officers will use HealthIM to assess mental health crises in their communities. With clearer guidelines and better data sharing, the tool aims to streamline responses and improve outcomes for those in need. The province’s funding ensures the system will remain accessible to police forces statewide.
