Ontario supports mental health first responders

Ottawa, Feb 8 (Canadian-Media): Ontario's partnership with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (OSCMHS) in Whitby to develop a mobile app is expected to provide information about mental health, help in self-assessment of symptoms, and Durham Regional Police Service's officers' staff would be able to find appropriate clinical services when needed, media reports said.

This project will reportedly receive up to $174,605 in support from Ontario and facilitate mental health support and treatment barriers,  and is part of the Occupational Health Safety and Prevention Innovation Program (OHSPIP).

“Investing in the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences supports health and safety innovation. This project will help improve the lives of first responders in our communities and work to mitigate barriers to mental health support. I want to congratulate the Ontario Shores Centre for their leadership and ongoing commitment to workplace mental health for first responders,” said Granville Anderson, Ontario MPP for Durham.

Granville Anderson: Facebook page

HSPIP supports workplace-focused innovation projects and collaborative partnerships for improvements in occupational health and safety in Ontario and improve awareness and acceptance of mental health issues among first responders.
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“This year’s Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program projects are helping Ontario to make progress toward our goal of ensuring every worker goes home safe at the end of their shift. By working with excellent partners like Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences on advancing mental health support, we can make a positive difference in the lives of our workforce for generations to come,” Kevin Flynn, Ontario Minister of Labour was reported to state.

Kevin Flynn: Facebook page

To help the ministry in achieving the goals described in the strategy, these plans have been aligned with priorities identified in consultation with workplace health and safety system partners and stakeholders.

The priorities in the province’s Healthy and Safe Ontario Workplaces Strategy, according to official reports, are to assist the most vulnerable workers, promote occupational health and safety improvements in small businesses, build collaborative partnerships and integrate service delivery and system-wide planning.

Ontario’s annual rate of workplace injuries, since 2003, has dropped by more than 50 percent, making the province’s workplaces the safest in Canada and among the safest in the world.
OHSPIP received nearly $1.68 million in funding in 2017-18.

"Investing in programs like the Occupational Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program has helped to make Ontario the safest place to work in Canada and among the safest in the world,” said Joe Dickson, Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Ajax-Pickering.

Real-time information reportedlywill be specifically tailored to individual needs and will be easily accessible to help improve well-being as well as to lead to reduced police service costs through reduced sick days and leaves of absence.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)