Sault paramedics glean $30K to strengthen mental health supports
Provincial grant supports DSSAB goal to ‘enhance’ mental health resources, long-term wellness
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Sault Ste. Marie Paramedic Service has been awarded $30,000 in provincial funding through Ontario’s Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel
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(MHS4PSP) Grant Program is geared to support specialized mental health training and wellness programming aimed at strengthening psychological health, trauma-informed practice, and peer support capacity for frontline paramedics.
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Launched by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and delivered in partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada, the MHS4PSP program provides public safety personnel with access to “evidence-informed” supports through Warrior Health, a nationally recognized provider of mental health resources for public safety communities, a District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) release said.
“This is an excellent example of how the team at DSSAB leaves no stone unturned when it comes securing additional support for our paramedic services,” said DSSAB board chair Stephanie Pagnucco. “Sault Ste. Marie paramedics face unique and often demanding situations, and this funding reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring they have every tool, resource, and opportunity needed to stay healthy, resilient, and ready to respond.”
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Sault Ste. Marie and area health-care professionals face growing regional addiction and mental issues with which they deal daily, often amid a dearth of resources.
Sault Ste. Marie, alone, has topped the list of opioid-related deaths per capita in Ontario for several quarterly reports issued by the Office of the Chief Coroner. The region is also plagued with primary care concerns and Northern health outcomes among the population are traditionally below that of southern Ontario residents.
The $30,000 grant, which includes a Northern Ontario top-up recognizing the unique needs of Northern services, will be used to implement peer support training, trauma-informed mental health education, general wellness and resilience training, leadership development, stigma-reduction programs, and mindfulness-based supports.
“I am hopeful this funding continues in future years to support our frontline workers in an area where they need it most,” Pagnucco said.
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