The federal government announced Monday that $28.2 million will be invested into research at the U of R for mental health support for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder for front line workers.
Over the last two years, front line workers like police and medical staff have been put at greater risk of PTSD from what they’ve seen through the pandemic.
“In the recent Stats Canada survey, seven out of 10 frontline workers have exacerbated mental health,” said federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Carolyn Bennett. “This of course is depression, anxiety, compassion fatigue, burnout, and PTSD.”
Projects that are developed or tested through this funding will help deliver and test interventions and develop resources for affected populations, providers and organizations.
Dr. Nicholas Carlton, professor of psychology at the U of R, said there are a million Canadians and their families that could see real solutions.
“They are providing on-demand access to trauma-informed information and wellness tools, as well as links to real, interactive peer support,” Carlton said. “Which we’ve heard from all or our frontline is absolutely essential.”
Carlton said projects have been led by teams of mental health innovators demonstrating extraordinary commitments to supporting mental health of those who serve.
Mental health care for front line workers doesn’t just affect the worker, it effects the families.
Caeleigh Landry, a Masters of Science student at the U of R, had a father in the police service, and she related a story from growing up, waiting for him to call.
“He was expected to call at a given time and he didn’t,” she said. “He was looking at bombs for buses at a major event. I remember sitting next to my clock radio in the basement waiting and hoping
I didn’t hear any news about anything because if I didn’t hear any news it probably meant he was safe.”
Police officers and health care workers who may already have been having PTSD-related issues may also have stressors from the pandemic giving them more severe symptoms.
The announcement today is part of a $50 million announcement over two years in the 2021 federal budget.
(CKRM)
