CRCL (Formerly the Peer Assisted Care Team)
CRCL—which stands for "Crisis Response, Community-Led," is an alternative or auxiliary response to police intervention, providing crisis support that focuses on prevention, health and well-being.
This community initiative responds to the needs of individuals most impacted by mental health and substance use, and provides trauma-informed, culturally safe support to youth and adults in the City of New Westminster.
Pronounced "circle," the CRCL team in New Westminster is operated by the Lower Mainland Purpose Society. It includes a mental health worker and a peer support worker (e.g., someone with lived or living experience).
You can reach out to CRCL when you or someone you know is in distress due to:
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Family members experiencing challenges
- Substance use
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Fear, anxiety and depression
- Other mental health-related emergencies
How we can help:
- Offer support to an individual or their loved one over the phone or in-person
- Provide crisis counselling and de-escalation
- Facilitate connections to the appropriate resources, services and supports in the community to meet an individual’s underlying needs
- Provide advocacy and accompaniment to emergency departments, police stations, or community organizations
CRCL is available to callers aged 13+ and adults living in the City of New Westminster
Hours of operation: 7:00 am - 11:30 pm, 7 days/week
Contact number: 778-727-3909 (call or text)