The Saint John Police Force is out with new figures on mental health-related calls.
Police released the new data in advance of Bell Let’s Talk Day on Wednesday.
It shows officers responded to approximately 1,758 mental health-related calls in 2021.
That is an increase of around eight per cent compared to 2020, when officers responded to 1,629 calls.
“Furthermore, data shows an increase of approximately 32% over five years and approximately 152% over ten years,” police said in a release.
Police in Saint John responded to 699 calls in 2011, which nearly doubled to 1,331 six years later in 2017.
There were 1,368 such calls in 2018, according to the data, and 1,625 calls in 2019.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health related challenges, please call 2-1-1. In case of an emergency, please call 9-1-1,” said the release.
