HealthIM app (Photo courtesy Colton McKee)

By Teagan Rasche

Funded by Brandon Niwa Legacy Project, province

New app will help police in mental health situations

May 7, 2021 | 4:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A new app has been developed to help police better respond to mental health situations.

The app, called HealthIM, will gather information on individuals suffering from mental health or substance use issues. It will also create learning opportunities for Medicine Hat College.

Medicine Hat Police Chief Mike Worden says this will benefit the community.

“When our first responders are responding to those types of crisis, it helps us with tactics or ideas or responses to them to help address the situation and really helps us on many occasions de-escalate the situation,” Worden said.

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The app will include an individual’s mental health history as well as possible triggers. Although a benefit to police and individuals, it does come at a cost.

The app is being funded by the provincial government and Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund. The fund is committed to mental health initiatives, created after the sudden passing of Brandon Niwa in 2020.

The app will also benefit Medicine Hat College. Researches will use the data and to look at the factors that impact mental health in our city.

Jen Kerslake, director of community engagement with MHC says this is a huge deal.

“Beautiful, intentional targeted partnership to serve our community, to serve our police service and to serve our students to enhance their education and future careers,” Kerslake said. “It’s a perfect fit.”

Chief Worden says the app will likely be used starting in the fall.