Fraser Health - The START Team (Short Term, Assessment, Response, Treatment)

Differentiating Category

Urgent mental health assessment and crisis intervention

Population Served

Children and teens aged 6 to 18 years who are in acute mental health crisis

Services Provided

• Mental health assessment
• Safety planning
• Resource and referral coordination
• Brief crisis stabilization treatment (individual and/or group) if needed
• Family support
• Psychiatric assessment by a psychiatrist if needed
• Professional consultation

How Service is Delivered

Mobile outreach

When to Contact

There has been a rapid onset (in the past 2-4 weeks) of extreme mental health symptoms resulting in the child/teen being unable to participate in their typical daily activities or relationships.

Mental health crisis may include: 

• self-harming
• suicidal thoughts or attempts
• intense anxiety or depression
• distorted thinking
• high risk of significantly harming others

Referral Protocol

Open Referral

• self
• parent/guardian
• healthcare providers
• schools
• police
• crisis lines
• suicide prevention programs
• community service agencies