The Government of Canada is committed to looking after those who put their safety at risk to protect our communities.
Canadian public safety personnel play a vital role in keeping our communities and our nation safe. Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, search and rescue personnel, correctional services workers, border services officers, intelligence analysts, volunteers and other public safety officers work in hazardous, volatile and traumatic environments, which can significantly impact their mental health and lead to severe psychological difficulties, known as post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI).
To support the mental health of Canada’spublic safety personnel, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, minister of Health, and the Honourable Ralph Goodale, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, have announced the launch of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) catalyst grants for PTSI research in public safety personnel.
“The Government of Canadais incredibly proud to support the very Canadians who keep our communities safe every day,” Taylor explained. “This contribution to PTSI research will ensure public safety personnel have the resources and treatments necessary to live healthy and rewarding lives.”
This $2.25 millioninvestment will fund up to 15 research projects designed to strengthen and expand the evidence base needed to inform the development of new policies and programs that improve the mental wellness and resilience of public safety personnel. Projects will focus on better understanding, identifying, mitigating and preventing PTSI in public safety occupations.
“Public safety personnel put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and we must do more to support their mental health and well-being,” said Goodale. “I’m pleased to see CIHR funding PTSI research that will further improve our understanding of this critical priority and help ensure public safety officers across the country have the support they need.”
Executive VP of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Michel Perron, added, “Post-traumatic stress injuries are complex conditions that affect public safety personnel in a variety of workplaces. Today’s announcement is the first step in addressing the knowledge gap around understanding PTSI in these occupational groups, and finding treatments that provide Canada’spublic safety personnel with the support they need.”
