Peer Support and Crisis-Focused Psychological Intervention Programs in Canadian First Responders: Blue Paper
Deadly Highway 400 crash highlights emotional risks for first responders
Invictus Canada Team Captain Overcame PTSD
The former master corporal served in several Canadian Forces regiments, including the Royal Canadian Dragoons, for over 16 years. She did a tour in Bosnia and two in Afghanistan — the last of which saw her witness the deaths of two comrades.
We're not Superman: RCMP Cpl. Trevor O'Keefe mourned following sudden death
The policing community in Newfoundland and Labrador has been rocked by the sudden loss of RCMP Cpl. Trevor O’Keefe, a highly regarded and experienced Mountie who became known throughout the province in recent years after taking on the media relations role.
Retired OPP officer tackles PTSD with a plan
A retired OPP officer is proactively tackling post-traumatic stress disorder for emergency and first responders.
Researchers find significantly higher rate of mental disorders among first responders
Results from Canada’s first national survey looking at operational stress injuries among first responders such as police, paramedics, firefighters and 911 operators suggest they are much more likely to develop a mental disorder than the general population.
Mental Disorder Symptoms among Public Safety Personnel in Canada
Canadian public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police officers) are exposed to potentially traumatic events as a function of their work. Such exposures contribute to the risk of developing clinically significant symptoms related to mental disorders. The current study was designed to provide estimates of mental disorder symptom frequencies and severities for Canadian PSP.
RCMP plan to launch study on operational stress, PTSD in Mounties
Canada’s national police force is looking to launch a study into the mental and physiological markers for depression, addictions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in its officers.
Police officer and ‘strongest man’ to haul NYPD vehicles to support cops with mental health struggles
He’s one of the strongest cops in the world, but he’s struggled with suicidal thoughts.
Mental health first aid course for 'everyone'
Prince Edward Islanders are being offered Mental Health First Aid Canada’s course by St. John Ambulance for the first time next month.
Playing Tetris Can Reduce PTSD Symptoms, Study Says
Playing the computer game Tetris can prevent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from developing in some individuals after they suffer a traumatic event, according to a new study.
RCMP officer with PTSD hopes to help service dog organization
A dozen years after the fatal shooting of four RCMP officers in Mayerthorpe, one officer is still feeling the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
New police unit focus is officer well-being, PTSD
Waterloo Regional Police have created a wellness unit to ensure the service’s members — officers and civilians — put their psychological well-being first.
Can Yoga Help Treat PTSD?
The U.S. military is beginning to embrace yoga as a means of treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Stephanie Lopez, a therapist and meditation trainer, explained at the Global Brain Health and Performance Summit presented by The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center’s Ross Center for Brain Health and Performance.
Imaging reveals how well PTSD patients will respond to psychotherapy, researchers find
A pair of studies led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine demonstrates that scientists can predict, with a high degree of accuracy, which patients with post-traumatic stress disorder will respond to a method of psychotherapy often used to treat the condition.
Running for PTSD #helpingheroes
This year’s 17th Annual Blackfly Run is a special one. Not only because it is the 17th run, on the 17th day of June, in 2017… no it is very special this year, because one of our Wawa Volunteer Firefighters is donning his bunker gear about fifty pounds worth, and running a 10km marathon #helpingheroes; although he does admit that heat will play a role.
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of how signs and symptoms of mental health conditions may present themselves differently in men, and to normalize conversations about mental health issues to reduce the stigma that often prevents men from seeking help.
Men, It’s Okay To Reach Out For Help If You’re Suffering From Depression
They say no man is an island, but when it comes to mental health issues many find themselves in an ocean of their own thoughts, feeling both isolated and unable to reach out for help.
'Bearded Cop' confronts mental health stigma among Ottawa police
For years, Const. Jon Hall thought having flashbacks involving dead bodies was normal.
On the economics of post-traumatic stress disorder among first responders in Canada
There is an increasing awareness of the tragic consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders in Canada. There is also an increasing awareness of the lack of understanding about the economic and social costs of PTSD in Canada. This article aims to briefly review the current evidence on the prevalence rates of PTSD, the economic costs associated with PTSD, and the costs and efficacy of various treatment strategies, to provide a framework for future research on the economic analysis of PTSD. Estimates suggest that as many as 2.5 million adult Canadians and 70,000 Canadian first responders have suffered from PTSD in their lifetimes. While we could not find any evidence on the economic cost of PTSD specifically, a recent estimate suggests that mental illness in the Canadian labour force results in productivity losses of $21 billion each year. Research from Australia suggests that expanded mental health care may improve the benefits of treatment over traditional care, and more cost-effectively. Given the methodological challenges in the existing studies and the paucity of evidence on Canada, more Canadian studies on prevalence, on the economic and social costs of PTSD, and on the costs and effectiveness of various treatment options are encouraged.
Living with PTSD: a soldier’s story
It was almost eight years ago that retired corporal Joseph Rustenburg took all the sleeping pills and medication he could get his hands on, drove to a farmer’s field and laid down, hoping for the end.
First responders call for national strategy to tackle PTSD crisis
From Hollywood blockbusters to front-page stories, the image of the tormented veteran unable to transition from war zone to home front is everywhere.
Ontario paramedic service guarding against PTSD
As the mental health of first responders becomes an increasingly important issue, an Ontario paramedic service is looking to those within its own ranks to protect the well-being of its members.
First responders call for national strategy to tackle PTSD crisis
A national strategy should include increased funding for psychological care and workers comp’ for first responders.
Psychiatrist says PTSD treatment for Mounties improving, but not fast enough
‘PTSD is going to be quite widespread within the RCMP and other first-responder organizations’
Help for RCMP officers who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder is improving, but Mark Johnston is urging the force to move more quickly to implement its 2014 mental health strategy.