The Prince Rupert RCMP will begin using a new digital tool this spring to help officers respond more effectively to calls involving mental health crises in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The system, called HealthIM, provides police with mental health risk assessments and safety advice in real-time so they can better support people who are struggling.
The provincial government provides $2 million every year to the BC Association of Chiefs of Police to help bring this technology to police departments across the province. British Columbia is currently the only province in Canada to use a standardized mental health screening tool on such a large scale.
The adoption of the tool in the community follows a February 2026 coroner’s inquest that recommended more mental health resources for Prince Rupert. In other cities where the system is already in use, police have seen a 42 percent decrease in the number of people apprehended during mental health calls and shorter wait times at local hospitals.
To further help residents, the community is also receiving a Mobile Integrated Crisis Response team. These teams pair a police officer with a healthcare worker to attend calls together and provide immediate help to those in a mental health or substance use crisis.
