North Shore Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT)

A mobile civilian-led team responds to crisis calls related to mental health and/or substance use on the North Shore by phone, text, or in person. The program pairs a mental health professional and a peer worker to provide trauma-informed, culturally safe support to North Shore residents ages 13 and over. Residents can reach out when they or a loved one is in distress due to thoughts of self-harm or suicide; family challenges; substance use; loss of reality; feelings of hopelessness or despair; social isolation and loneliness; fear, anxiety, or depression; and/or other mental health related emergencies. Services include providing a safe space for residents to share their story and listening without judgement; crisis counselling and de-escalation; advocating for residents and accompanying them to emergency departments, police stations, or community organizations; connecting residents to appropriate resources, services, and supports in the community to ensure underlying needs are met; and providing short-term follow-up care to residents after a crisis event. The team cannot provide transportation, psychological assessments, prescriptions, referrals to psychiatrists or other medical specialists, or fast-track applications for housing, income or disability assistance, or mental health services. Service is available in English and Farsi. Hours are 6 pm to 12 midnight Thursday to Sunday.