First responders to get mental health assessments, rehabilitation and residential treatment, virtual care, among others
Ontario is stepping up to ensure that first responders in the province will be in an optimal mental state with a new investment.
The provincial government is investing in the construction of Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence for First Responders.
“We owe a huge debt to our first responders, who make incredible sacrifices every day to keep families and communities across Ontario safe,” said Premier Doug Ford. “By investing in mental health and rehabilitation treatment for first responders provided by the dedicated team at Runnymede Healthcare Centre, we’re helping give back to our brave women and men so they can access the critical supports they need.”
What mental health supports are available to first responders?
The investment will support the construction of two new facilities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to deliver comprehensive PTSI rehabilitation-focused programs and services tailored to the needs of first responders and support them throughout their journey to recovery.
In Toronto, the new facility will focus on providing rehabilitative services including assessment, intensive outpatient therapy, and aftercare, while housing recreation programs and facilities that encourage health and recovery. The new facility in Caledon will provide 40 residential beds to connect first responders to tailored and comprehensive treatment services.
Once opened, the Runnymede Healthcare Centre will provide care to 1,500 workers each year, accommodating 41,700 visits. And the services could also be provided to more first responders in time, said the provincial government.
The provincial government is working with Runnymede Healthcare Centre to complete planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once future planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.
"Our system fails to adequately protect First Responders who are structurally exposed to traumatic events throughout their careers. We cannot have safe, healthy, and resilient communities without safe, healthy, and resilient First Responders. It is time to serve those that serve their communities every day,” said Connie Dejak, president and CEO, Runnymede Healthcare Centre.
“The PTSI Centre of Excellence will help navigate all First Responders and their families to appropriate and timely access across the end-to-end continuum of care, from prevention, to treatment and return to wellness, throughout a person’s professional career, and beyond."
Stakeholders welcome new PTSI treatment facilities for first responders
Several stakeholders welcomed the new investment from the Ontario government.
"Expanding access to comprehensive mental health and rehabilitation services, including the creation of Runnymede Healthcare Centre's Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence, is an investment in the well-being of the brave men and women who ensure the safety and security of our communities every day,” said Mark Baxter, president, Police Association of Ontario.
“These facilities will provide the tailored care and support our members need and deserve as they navigate the impacts of their demanding and critical work. We applaud the government for prioritizing this essential initiative."
Up to 23 per cent of first responders and public safety personnel suffer from PTSI, a higher rate than that of the general population, according to the Ontario government.
Greg Horton, president, Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, also thanked the Ford government for the new facilities.
“Firefighters experience mental health challenges at a significantly higher rate than the general population due to their repeated exposure to traumatic events while serving their communities,” he said. “The government’s significant investment in this mental health initiative for first responders will enable the construction to begin on this one-of-a-kind center which will provide critical support to firefighters and other first responders in need."
The new funding builds on the $10.7 million the Ontario government previously invested to support early capital planning for Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s two new facilities.
Also, through the new Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel program (MHS4PSP), the province is investing more than $32 million to ensure first responders and public safety personnel have access to mental health supports.
Over the next 10 years, Ontario’s investments will lead to nearly $50 billion in health infrastructure across the province, building 3,000 new beds in addition to over 3,500 critical care, acute and post-acute beds the government has added since 2020.
Ontario is also investing $3.8 billion over 10 years to fill gaps in mental health and addictions care, create new services and expand programs through Roadmap to Wellness.
