HealthIM
HealthIM is a Kitchener-based software company that provides a comprehensive system to support first responders during emergency mental health crisis calls, promoting safety and improving outcomes for individuals in crisis.
Services
HealthIM offers comprehensive software solutions designed to support first responders during emergency mental health crisis calls. The system includes features to promote safety for responders and individuals in crisis, improve mental health outcomes, and ensure effective oversight. Key services provided by HealthIM include on-site tools for mental health assessments, de-escalation techniques, inter-agency communication, and real-time analytics for agency leadership and community partners.
Products
HealthIM's primary product is a comprehensive software system that includes four critical components: Pre-Response Safety Briefing, Mental Health Risk Screener, Inter-Agency Communication, and Reporting and Analytics. The Pre-Response Safety Briefing provides critical safety information and de-escalation techniques. The Mental Health Risk Screener allows for rapid, on-scene risk evaluations using the interRAI™ Brief Mental Health Screener (BMHS). Inter-Agency Communication facilitates secure information sharing between responders and partner agencies. Reporting and Analytics offer real-time access to response data and insights for continuous improvement.
Funding
The development of HealthIM was funded by several significant entities, including the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Health Technologies Fund, and National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program. These funds have supported the creation and implementation of the system, ensuring its readiness and compliance with necessary standards in assisting first responders during mental health crises.
User Base
HealthIM is actively used by police forces across multiple Canadian provinces including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Notably, the Edmonton Police Service in Alberta will soon begin using the system. Since 2019, the Delta Police Department, as well as RCMP in Surrey and Prince George, have benefited from reduced arrests, paperwork, and hospital wait times, thanks to the app. The app provides police officers with tools for mental health crisis assessment and facilitates communication with health facilities to expedite care transfer.
Compliance and Security
HealthIM adheres to stringent compliance and security standards. The app is compliant with FIPS 140-2 and CSE cryptographic standards for 'PROTECTED B' data. It employs 4096 bit RSA encryption across TLS protected channels to ensure data security. These measures safeguard sensitive information and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the data processed by the app.
Founders and Location
HealthIM is founded by graduates from the University of Waterloo and is based in Kitchener, Ontario. The company's origins in a leading educational institution and integration within a technology-rich region underscore its focus on innovative solutions for mental health crisis intervention.