Left to right: Superintendent Chris Goebel, Officer in Charge of Kelowna Detachment; Hon. Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), Member of Parliament for Kelowna; Amna Shah, MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions; Mayor Tom Dyas, City of Kelowna; Mike Gawliuk, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna; Darren Caul, Public Safety and Policing Policy Director, City of Kelowna.

By Vernon Matters Staff

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Kelowna to get mental crisis team in new year

Nov 13, 2025 | 5:13 PM

A specialist mental health crisis response team is set to start up in Kelowna early in the new year.

It will support people aged 13 and older experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis, which might include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, feelings of grief, panic or anxiety.

A mobile response unit will meet people where they are, including supporting those with lived or living experience of homelessness.

The team – Crisis Response Community Led (CRCL – pronounced circle) – will respond to calls from people who are in crisis, their loved ones, or other concerned members of the public.

“Addressing crime and improving community safety takes collaboration across all levels of government and a comprehensive approach that brings different solutions together,” Mayor Tom Dyas said in a media release.

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“The CRCL service ensures people in crisis receive compassionate, community-based support, while enabling police to focus more on crime and safety-related calls. Public safety is a priority for the people of Kelowna and this Council, and programs like this help create a safer, more responsive community for everyone.”

Kelowna’s CRCL team is made possible through collaborative investments by the Government of Canada through Health Canada and the Emergency Treatment Fund, the Province of BC, and the City of Kelowna.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the overdose crisis, and no community can solve it alone,” Federal Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, said in a statement.

“By investing in community-driven, culturally relevant, and evidence-based initiatives, we are making sure people have access to the care and support they need, close to home.”