Crisis Response, Community Led (CRCL)

CRCL serves the community of Kelowna on the traditional territories of the syilx Okanagan Peoples.

Get Support During a Mental Health Crisis

If you or someone you know in Kelowna is experiencing a mental health crisis,
you can call or text the CRCL team at 778-940-2560

CRCL provides confidential, timely, and in-person support to individuals aged 13 and older,
wherever they are in the community.

Hours of service: 11:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., seven days a week

What is CRCL?

CRCL (pronounced 'circle') stands for Crisis Response, Community Led.

CRCL is a mobile, in-person mental health crisis response service for people aged 13 and older. It is voluntary, consent-based, and trauma-informed.

CRCL is not a police service and does not involve police unless there is an imminent risk of harm that requires emergency intervention.

CRCL serves the community of Kelowna on the traditional territories of the syilx Okanagan Peoples.

How CRCL Works

When you call or text CRCL, a trained dispatcher will talk with you to understand what support is needed.

Depending on the situation, the dispatcher may:

Send a two-person CRCL response team to support you in the community, or
Help connect you to other appropriate services, including calling 911 on your behalf if emergency support is needed

CRCL is a voluntary service that focuses on compassionate, dignity-centred support, prioritizing health, well-being, and connection to community resources.

What CRCL Is – and what It Isn’t

CRCL is

A community-led, consent-based, in-person mental health crisis response

Grounded in lived/living mental health experience and clinical expertise

Focused on de-escalation, safety planning, and post-crisis follow-up

CRCL is not

A police or emergency medical service

A replacement for Integrated Crisis Response Teams or RCMP interventions

Equipped for violent disputes or intimate partner violence

Why It Matters

CRCL fills a critical gap in how mental health crises are supported in our community. By meeting people where they are, CRCL provides compassionate, culturally safe care that centres dignity, choice, and connection.
This model helps shift how communities respond to mental health crises, away from enforcement and toward care. CRCL is a complement to existing services, not a competing one.

Need Support Outside of CRCL Hours?

The following resources are available 24/7:

9-8-8: Call or text for suicide crises and mental health support
310-6789: BC Mental Health & Crisis Response (no area code needed)
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433): Suicide prevention line
KUU-US Crisis Line (1-800-588-8717): Crisis support for Indigenous individuals

Partnership and Governance

CRCL is led and operated by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna, in collaboration with CMHA BC Division, the City of Kelowna, the Province of BC, and Health Canada.