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The Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) program at ³Ô¹ÏÍø delivers blended, evidence-based training for frontline police officers responding to individuals in mental health crisis. Leveraging a hybrid model—including online modules, applied forum scenarios, and cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology—MHCR provides high-fidelity, scalable learning grounded in real-world crisis response.

Training Requirements

Mandatory Training Requirements

All officers are required to complete the following components for initial certification. 

Annual Requalification Requirements

To maintain compliance, officers must complete annual MHCR requalification training: 

Training Package Overview

The MHCR program is structured around a competency-based, scenario-driven framework aligned with the De-escalating Persons in Crisis Competencies Tool (DePICT™) – the first validated framework for police de-escalation and mental health crisis response training in Canada.

Training format:

• Four online modules
• One forum scenario
• One evaluation scenario

Currently available to Ontario police services only. Professionals from other sectors (e.g., EMS, corrections) can sign up for updates on future offerings.

Online Modules

Before in-person sessions, trainees complete four foundational e-learning modules:

• Mental Illness and Mental Health Crisis
  Understand the context of mental health-related calls and debunk common misconceptions.
• De-escalation and Relational Policing
  Learn communication techniques, non-escalation strategies, and emotional regulation.
• The Context of Modern Policing
  Explore how societal attitudes and officer bias affect mental health encounters.
• A Focus on Race
  Examine how racial bias impacts risk assessment and community-police interactions during crisis.

Forum Scenarios

These 90-minute problem-based simulations replace traditional lectures and emphasize:

• Real-time observation and participation.
• “Stop–rewind–replay” skill practice.
• In-scenario video feedback from lived-experience experts, clinicians, and trainers.

Evaluation Scenarios

Each officer completes a 20-minute assessed simulation:

• 10-minute live scenario
• Observer-rated using DePICT™
• Post-scenario debrief for formative feedback

Officers must achieve a “Satisfactory” rating across key competencies to complete the training. If not achieved, retraining and re-evaluation are required based on feedback.

Train-the-Trainer (MHCR-T3) Program

The MHCR-T3 program certifies Ontario police professionals to: 

• Deliver the MHCR Education and Applied Training Program.
• Administer in-service requalification (as per O. Reg. 87/24). 

Program details: 

• 33 hours over 6 units (Hybrid: online + in-person)
• Class size: 20–25 participants
• Certification: Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being, ³Ô¹ÏÍø

MHCR Train-the-Trainer (T3) sessions prepare officers to deliver the MHCR program within their own police services.

Upcoming 2025 Training Dates

• June 16–18: Ottawa (Completed)
• July 2–4: Durham Region
• July 28–30: Niagara Region
• Aug. 25–27: London
• Sept. 15–17: Windsor

To register or request additional dates, email mhcr@wlu.ca with your preferred session(s) or timeframe and number of participants.

Required Units

To become a certified MHCR facilitator, participants must successfully complete six instructional units delivered in a hybrid format (online and in-person).

MHCR Refresher (T3R) Course

All certified MHCR instructors must complete a refresher course every three years to maintain active status.

• Registration through the Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being (CPSW).
• Updated certificate of completion issued upon successful renewal.

The MHCR-T3R ensures instructors are up to date with new content and best practices, and continue to deliver the program with fidelity, relevance, and impact.

Instructor Responsibilities:

• Complete three online units prior to in-person training.
• Engage in scenario demonstration, rehearsal, and peer feedback.
• Deliver MHCR training at their police service upon certification.

Virtual Reality MHCR Training

The Mental Health Crisis Response (MHCR) training, delivered by ³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being, can be implemented using either live-action or virtual reality (VR) scenarios.

What is VR-MHCR?

VR-MHCR uses immersive virtual reality technology to bring MHCR scenarios to life—enhancing portability, scalability, and consistency across Ontario. This method significantly reduces the costs typically associated with live-action scenario training.

Using VR headsets, officer-learners enter a fully immersive, 360-degree environment that replicates realistic settings and characters based on the original MHCR curriculum. The environment is designed at 1:1 scale and viewed from a first-person perspective, offering a powerful, hands-on learning experience.

Unlike traditional VR training that relies on limited, multiple-choice interactions, VR-MHCR employs an “open world” approach. Officers must:

• Assess risk.
• Make decisions in real time.
• Practice de-escalation.
• Consider tactical elements such as positioning, containment, control, and time-distance strategies.

This dynamic format prepares officers for the complex realities of mental health crises and supports the development of critical frontline skills.

Note: VR-MHCR is not compatible with other VR equipment.

The VR-MHCR is poised to revolutionize police training in Ontario with an immersive experiential training package that fully integrates the DePICT™ evaluation framework.

Powered by Street Smarts VR

MHCR VR scenarios are built on software developed by (SSVR)—a recognized leader in law enforcement-focused VR training.

Since 2017, SSVR has:

• Developed an offline, deployable platform.
• Created full integration with duty equipment (e.g., OC spray, C8 carbine).
• Delivered customizable, branching scenario libraries to meet new 2024 CSPA requirements.

The result is a best-in-class training system that offers law enforcement agencies both flexibility and realism.

For pricing or implementation support: canada-sales@streetsmartsvr.com .