With darker days on the horizon, West Shore first responders are concerned about the mental health of their communities and are sounding the alarm after seeing a dramatic increase in calls.

B次元官网网址淢ental health is a significant part of society,B次元官网网址� explained Brad Cameron, B.C. Emergency Health Services superintendent of patient care delivery for Greater Victoria.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the community is under constant pressure B次元官网网址� both emotionally and financially B次元官网网址� and the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 first responders are seeing its impact.

B.C. Ambulance Service started seeing a spike in mental health calls during the summer months B次元官网网址� when people werenB次元官网网址檛 able to take their typical vacations. That spike hasnB次元官网网址檛 subsided.

B次元官网网址淚 am bracing,B次元官网网址� said Insp. Todd Preston, Officer in Charge of the West Shore RCMP. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think thatB次元官网网址檚 going to get any better.B次元官网网址�

This August, the detachment responded to 143 mental health calls, up from 84 in August 2019. Well-being calls also jumped to 93 in August, up from 53 in August 2019.

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, West Shore RCMP saw a 24 per cent increase in calls relating to mental health with a jump to 1,069 calls from 859. The department saw a 95 per cent increase in well-being checks B次元官网网址� 822 from 421 B次元官网网址� compared to the same timeframe in 2019.

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With call numbers on the rise, Preston fears services will be pushed to their breaking points.

B次元官网网址淢ental health has always been stretched to capacity B次元官网网址� The levy was already full.B次元官网网址�

West Shore RCMP officers spend an average of one hour and 45 minutes waiting with the subject of a mental health call before they are turned over to the care of a doctor.

However, Preston noted many of these patients are just released back onto the street due to the current mental health systems, where they often become a police concern again. Of the 1,069 mental health calls the department has responded to this year, 242 people were taken to hospital for assessment by police. Only 157 people were admitted to hospital. On average, 35 per cent are immediately released.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a cycle thatB次元官网网址檚 costing the department a lot of resources. Traditionally, a small portion of the population B次元官网网址� or chronic users B次元官网网址� accounts for a significant number of specific calls such as mental health or calls which are drug-related.

B次元官网网址淲e need to deal with those B次元官网网址榮uper-users,B次元官网网址� we need to have direct contact and we need a long-term plan,B次元官网网址� Preston said, adding long-term services would save money in the bigger picture.

But a recent shift in the demographic of people police interact with on calls has Preston also concerned about the general populationB次元官网网址檚 well-being. While traditionally officers would routinely see mostly chronic users for mental health or drug-related calls, Preston said the spike in call volumes has been caused by individuals not seen by police before.

He credits the pandemic for this shift.

B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 adapt well to change,B次元官网网址� he explained.

Along with a spike in mental health calls, the West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 fire chiefs have also noticed a significant increase in overdose calls during the past two months.

B次元官网网址淚t just goes to show you B次元官网网址� weB次元官网网址檝e had a lot of mental health calls too B次元官网网址� people are struggling with this,B次元官网网址� said Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey.

Aubrey and the rest of the West Shore chiefs are bracing for a tough winter season with so many struggling with their mental health and the financial challenges caused by COVID-19.

ALSO READ: Mental health in Greater Victoria

October has traditionally been a slower month for fire departments. ItB次元官网网址檚 the shoulder season between the end of wildfire season and the winter months where they tend to see more calls for heating-related fires and vehicle crashes. But that has not been the case this year.

When the pandemic hit, local fire departments re-prioritized the calls they were responding to, leaving some of the medical aid calls they would typical assist with solely to B.C. Ambulance Service.

During that first 12-week period, Colwood Fire Rescue responded to 60 per cent of its previous call volume (compared to the same time frame during 2019).

However, the department is back on track and is only down 20 per cent year-to-date when compared to 2019, which was a record-breaking year in terms of call volume.

The rest of the West Shore departments reported similar numbers with View Royal Fire Rescue back up to its historic numbers.

They credited the dramatic increase in call volumes to mental health and overdose calls and theyB次元官网网址檙e worried the numbers will only continue to rise with the dark, dreary days of winter.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call the provincial suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-suicide (1-800-784-2433), or visit crisislines.bc.ca to find local mental health and crisis resources.

Black Press Media has also prepared mental health and overdose prevention resource guides filled with information specific to Greater Victoria, you can find them under e-editions at goldstreamgazette.com.

Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

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