Youth Mobile Crisis Response Team Serving Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 14, 2026  10:30 a.m.

(Ottawa)—The Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB), CHEO and the Kids Come First Health Team have launched a Youth-focused Mobile Crisis Response Team (YCRT) to provide coordinated community-based responses to youth experiencing mental health crises.

Operating Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, the YCRT pairs a specialized Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer from the OPS Mental Health Crisis Unit with a member of YSB’s Mobile Crisis Response team.  Together, they provide coordinated crisis intervention for youth across Ottawa, combining public safety expertise with youth mental health and social service supports.

"When a young person is experiencing a mental health crisis, they deserve a compassionate response. This partnership brings together the expertise of police, youth workers, and healthcare professionals to connect youth with the right resources and supports in community when they need them most. Together, we are strengthening our community's response to youth in crisis and helping build better outcomes for young people and their families."
 - Chief Eric Stubbs, Ottawa Police Service

The YCRT takes a vital, trauma-informed approach to youth mental health. When a young person is in crisis, having a YSB youth worker as part of the team means we can provide de-escalation and safety planning on the spot. It is about giving youth the right support at the right time, preventing unnecessary and often distressing emergency room visits.
- Nina Gorka, CEO, YSB

The YCRT is built on the principle that young people experiencing a crisis should receive the right support, from the right professionals, at the right time and in the least intrusive manner possible. Through this integrated, community-based partnership, youth are supported where they live and connect, allowing care to be delivered in familiar environments whenever possible. Youth crisis workers lead the response by connecting young people and their families to appropriate mental health, health, social, and community services, while police officers provide public safety expertise when safety concerns or elevated risks are present.

By leveraging a network of community resources, including 1Call1Click.ca, the YCRT provides timely access to coordinated supports that address immediate needs while promoting longer-term wellbeing. This collaborative approach helps youth and families navigate services more effectively, improves continuity of care, and reduces unnecessary emergency department visits.

This initiative is backed by specialized training launched in April 2026 to help CIT officers support neurodiverse, racialized, and Indigenous youth. The YCRT expands Ottawa’s existing network of crisis teams and is funded through the Ontario government’s Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant.

Contact and Resources

• Need Help Now? The YSB Crisis Line is available to youth, parents, and caregivers 24/7 at 613-260-2360 or online at chat.ysb.ca.
• Our Services: To find out how YSB supports youth and families, visit ysb.ca.
• Connect with youth mental health and addiction support services through 1Call1Click.ca or call 1-877-377-7775

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CONTACT: 
Nina Gorka, CEO, Youth Services Bureau
A/S. Sgt. Chabine Tucker, Community Safety Services

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