In just its first year of operation, British Columbia’s overdose Mobile Response Team (MRT) has provided critical incident support and training to more than 6000 individuals who are working on the front lines combating the province’s overdose crisis.
According to a news release issued by the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, in collaboration with the Provincial Health Services Authority, the MRT has been providing immediate, short-term support to first responders, front-line workers and those with lived experience as the work to respond to and prevent drug overdoses and deaths.
“In every community I visit, people on the front lines are working tirelessly to save lives, and connect people to the care they deserve. They are doing heroic work, and are deeply deserving of the professional support provided by the Mobile Response Team,” said Judy Darcy, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Our government recognizes the critical importance of keeping people physically and emotionally healthy as they respond to this public health emergency.”
The MRT, which consists of 13 team members with diverse backgrounds and skills, including counsellors, psychologists, traumatologists and first responders, is part of Health Emergency Management BC, which is a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
Per the news release, the MRT helps front line workers — who may be susceptible to compassion fatigue, trauma and other stress-related harm due to the traumatic nature of their jobs — address the stress of their jobs during the overdose crisis.
This support comes in multiple forms, whether it be one-on-one defusing or debriefings following overdoses, overdose deaths and critical incidents, as well as after educational sessions. Per information provided in the news release, the B.C. government has committed $1.7 million funding over the next few years to ensure the sustainability of the crisis response.
“People on the front lines are reporting consistent and high levels of stress and trauma as a result of responding to overdoses,” said John Lavery, the executive director of Health Emergency Management BC. “The provincial overdose Mobile Response Team is providing critical supports vital to the crisis response.”
Travelling to 57 communities across the province while assisting more than 593 agencies and community groups, the MRT’s ultimate goal is to continue to support those who work to help save lives during this crisis.
“People from all walks of life have come together to help save lives from overdose during this unprecedented crisis,” said Carolyn Sinclair, MRT program manager. “Through the MRT, we are trying to make sure that workers have the support, tools, skills and opportunities within their agencies to cope with the immense grief, pain and loss they experience while helping others on the front lines.”
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is currently working with multiple partners to save lives and put services in place to better support people on a path to treatment and recovery.