News release
West Shore RCMP begins using HealthIM, enhancing mental health crisis responses
March 17, 2026
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West Shore, British Columbia
From: West Shore RCMP
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West Shore RCMP officers responding to calls involving a mental health component will now have access to a new tool.
HealthIM is an evidence-based digital risk assessment tool that supports frontline officers in real time during mental health and substance-use related calls.
This tool allows officers to review a brief synopsis of critical safety factors, including de-escalation techniques, known triggers, and contextual information from previous interactions before making first contact with the individual in crisis.
While on scene, officers complete a brief questionnaire about the person in crisis. This allows standardized, clinically relevant information to be securely shared with emergency departments and community mental health agencies before the person arrives at the hospital.
By providing officers with information about known triggers and effective de-escalation strategies, HealthIM supports a trauma-informed police response. This helps officers create a safer environment and can contribute to more peaceful outcomes.
Officers have started using Health IM as of Mid-March.
Transcript
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Video description:
Officers responding to calls involving a mental health component have a new tool available to them.
HealthIM is a digital public safety system that was designed to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from mental health challenges.
The platform facilitates clear and concise communication between police officers' and medical staff which improves appropriate outcomes for the patients.
By equipping officers with previously known triggers and effective de-escalation tactics, a citizen experiences a trauma-informed responding police officer. This response establishes a safe environment, resulting in peaceful outcomes.
Officers will start using HealthIM this spring.
Transcript
[Cst. Gravel in front of RCMP Police Vehicle]
[Text on screen reads: Cst. Gabriel Gravel – West Shore RCMP Mental Health Unit]
Cst. Gravel: Officers responding to calls involving a mental health component have a new tool available to them.
HealthIM is a digital public safety system that was designed to improve outcomes for individuals suffering from mental health challenges.
[Close up of the HealthIM app on a cell phone.]
[Close up of name ‘John Smith’ being searched on the HealthIM app on the cell phone.]
The platform facilitates clear and concise communication between police officers' and medical staff which improves appropriate outcomes for the patients.
[Screen recording of the HealthIM app. The screen shows a profile for ‘John Smith’. The profile includes information such as name, address, de-escalation advice, and responder safety information.]
[Screen recording of a sample of information the HealthIM collects. Behaviors are listed and officers select ‘Not Present, Present (but not exhibited in the last 24 hours), or Exhibited in last 24 hours’. Note on screen reads: This clip shows a small sample of questions and behaviours. Officers address more during the full assessment.]
[Screen recording of the results page after the officer fills in the information.]
By equipping officers with previously known triggers and effective de-escalation tactics, a citizen experiences a trauma-informed responding police officer. This response establishes a safe environment, resulting in peaceful outcomes.
[Cst. Gravel standing in front of RCMP police vehicle]
Officers will start using HealthIM this spring.