Here to Help (H2H) - The Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation Team
Here to Help (H2H) is a multi-service, community-based, mobile team that responds to immediate concerns in the community and to help with situations that may give rise to conflict.
They work with various community stakeholders to help mitigate crises when they arise. For example, a situation between a retailer and an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. The H2H Team is an alternative to policing, providing crisis support between Community Stakeholders and folks who may be experiencing a crisis. In addition, we like to build a rapport with the Community Stakeholders and provide them with basic de-escalation techniques if they find themselves or others in situations.
Community stakeholders, such as business owners and staff, can call their centralized line at 416-915-4200 to refer and their mobile team will be dispatched as soon as possible. The referral line is open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 2 pm - 10 pm.
H2H has a range of expertise on their team, including Harm Reduction Workers, Peer Workers, Crisis Intervention Workers, Nursing, a Community Support Worker, and a Transitional Short Term Case Manager. The partners involved in this project are Seeds of Hope, The Gerstein Centre, Dixon Hall, Homes First, The Neighbourhood Group, and the Inner-City Family Health Team.
When to Call 416-915-4200?
Their team can help in situations where:
· Someone is experiencing distress, mental health, and/or substance use and needs assistance
· You are concerned about someone’s safety, but no act of violence or imminent threat has occurred
· Someone is agitated or disruptive
· A person seems to need or want more help than you feel able to offer
If your concern involves any of the following, please call 911:
· Immediate risks for safety or threats of violence to people or property
· Fire/arson
· A medical emergency
· A person has overdosed or is not breathing
· A crime is in progress
*If you are unsure of the circumstances give them a call at 416-915-4200*
