First Responders and Uniform Personnel/Public Safety Personnel are at risk for developing mental health issues, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, affecting 44% of this population compared to 10% of the general population (Carleton et al., 2020). The Ministry of Ontario’s Labour Board has stated that Emergency Service Workers are at least twice as likely as the general population to suffer from PTSD and other mental health issues, due to the risk of routine exposure to traumatic incidents as well as unique occupational stressors. PTSD is a mental illness that involves symptoms such as reliving a psychologically traumatic situation long after any physical danger involved has passed. The severity varies from individual to individual. Other serious and related mental health issues, such as anxiety and major depression, are just as debilitating.

We have identified the need for occupational specific care for these front line workers, as they often struggle with the psychological effects that the job and its culture can have on the individual due to exposure to traumatic/critical incidents, as well as the related occupational stressors that can hinder the proper processing of such events. COVID-19 is a new example of the type of job-related stress faced by uniform personnel. Results can include development of conditions such as operational stress injury, compassion fatigue, decreased stress tolerance, depression, anxiety, and other serious mental health issues such as PTSD.

The Haven will be the first non-profit, residential/outpatient treatment centre exclusive to First Responders and Uniform Personnel in the province. It may provide access to occupational specific, engaging and efficient treatment, reduce barriers to timely treatment access and stigma delivered in both official languages. It will address and treat the individual from a holistic, client interactive care model approach with evidence-based programming. This includes preventative and reintegrative programs with the goal of reducing future mental health issues with applicable tools, increasing quality of life and relationships, and decreasing the rates of workplace liability and absenteeism. As well, the program will residential treatment programs with outstanding and ongoing post- treatment support for ultimate success of reintegration back into the family unit, potentially the workplace and community.

‘First Responders and Uniform Personnel’ includes Fire Fighters, Paramedics, Nurses, Police Officers, Dispatchers/Call-Takers, Correctional Services, Special Constables, Border Service Officers, Physicians, Military Personnel (not limited to) and their family members in the future