The Peterborough Police Service has announced a partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada that will see additional mental health support and services available for members of the service and their families.
Wounded Warriors Canada is a nationally recognized mental health service provider dedicated to serving ill and injured trauma-exposed professionals and their families.
A trauma-exposed professional is someone who, in the course of their regular job duties, is continually exposed to traumatic events involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Such professionals include active and former members of the Canadian military, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and more.
Originally founded in 2013 to serve ill and injured veterans and their families, the charitable organization also now supports first responders and their families. The organization works with over 100 police services across the country.
“Given the complexities of operational stress injuries, we know that no single organization can provide the 100 per cent solution when it comes to the mental health and wellness needs of its members and their families — partnerships are vital,” says Wounded Warriors Canada executive director Scott Maxwell in a media release.
“Together, we are working to break down barriers to accessing culturally appropriate mental health care while reducing stigma for those who serve. We’re grateful for their willingness to collaborate, and we look forward to working with the Peterborough Police Service in the months and years to come.”
VIDEO: Operational Stress Intervention Dog – Saanich Police Department, B.C.
Programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada that will be available for members of the Peterborough Police Service and their families include:
- Trauma Resiliency Program – a residential group counselling intervention to help those dealing with the negative effects of post-trauma symptoms.
- Spousal Resiliency Program – a program that brings together spouses to receive clinically facilitated group-based trauma support that draws on leading trauma research.
- Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday – a clinically facilitated couples-based trauma program that was Wounded Warriors Canada’s first internationally recognized program.
- Couples Resiliency Program – a program that combines equine-assisted learning, psychological intervention, and tools to reduce conflict, manage anger, and improve communication.
- Warrior Kids Camp and Warrior Kids Virtual Program – a program for children and youth aged 8 to 16 whose parents are trauma-exposed professionals. The program consists of a two-day in-person overnight camp delivered at various locations in Canada and a six-week psycho-educational virtual group.
- Surviving Family Program – a program designed to assist immediate family members who have lost their service member loved one in the line of duty or to suicide.
- PTSD Service Dogs – Wounded Warriors Canada provides funding to support the training and pairing of PTSD service dogs nationally.
- Operational Stress Intervention Dog – Wounded Warriors Canada provides funding for operational stress intervention dogs, which are specially trained to help individuals deal with trauma, emotional distress, anxiety, and work stressors.
“We recognize that employee wellness is of critical importance to the success of our organization and our commitment to public safety,” says Sergeant Jen Bell of the Peterborough Police Services. “We also know that how we offer help is just as important and through this partnership we are pleased to offer different pathways for individuals and their families to access.”
