TORONTO PARAMEDIC SERVICES PARTNERS WITH WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA
Toronto, Ontario –– Wounded Warriors Canada is proud to announce a partnership with Toronto Paramedic Services, the largest municipal Paramedic Service in Canada. With this partnership, Wounded Warriors Canada will provide an additional layer of mental health support and resources to Toronto Paramedics Services’ staff and their families.
“Given the complexities of operational stress injuries, we know that no single organization will ever be the 100 percent solution when it comes to the mental health and wellness of its members and their families. Partnerships are vital. Together, we are working to break down barriers to accessing culturally appropriate mental health support while reducing stigma for those who keep our communities safe. We look forward to working with the team at Toronto Paramedic Services in the months and years to come,” said Scott Maxwell, Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada.
“Toronto Paramedic Services’ Paramedics, Emergency Medical Call Takers and Dispatchers face challenging situations every day,” said Bikram Chawla, Acting Chief, Toronto Paramedic Services. “We’re proud to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our staff, and to build on the programs and services that are already available.”
The City of Toronto and Toronto Paramedic Services offer a range of mental health supports to staff and family members, including access to a 24-hour Peer Resource Team (PRT), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), an on-site Staff Psychologist, and comprehensive online resources. These are in addition to mental health and resiliency training programs that have been offered in recent years.
“We are so thankful for the lifesaving work our paramedics do across our city every day and every night. We want all of our paramedics to have access to mental health support and resources and this new partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada provides an important additional layer of support and builds on existing supports the City of Toronto has ensured are available,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, City of Toronto. “Thank you to everyone who worked to secure this partnership and thank you to Wounded Warriors Canada for the support you will provide to Toronto Paramedic Services’ staff and their families so they feel safe, supported and understood.”
As a mental health service provider, Wounded Warriors Canada offers a range of clinically facilitated programs that have been specifically developed to support the unique needs of veterans, first responders and their families. The programs support individuals, couples, spouses, surviving spouses, and children of those who serve or have served our country. Through its Before Operational Stress (BOS) program, Wounded Warriors also provides leading-edge workplace training geared towards helping make trauma exposure management a new professional standard for both veterans and first responders.
“CUPE Local 79 commends the City of Toronto for recognizing that its frontline emergency services staff need improved mental health supports. We look forward to our Toronto Paramedic Services members being offered specialized mental health services from the team at Wounded Warriors Canada,” said Casey Barnett, President, CUPE Local 79.
“CUPE Local 416 is elated that the services of Wounded Warriors are now being made available to our paramedic members. The very nature of the paramedic profession itself, takes an enormous toll on the psychological wellbeing of our members. Timely access to treatment for these members is crucial and cannot be underestimated. Therefore, an additional resource through such an honourable organization, of this calibre, is most welcomed and greatly appreciated. On behalf of our 1400 paramedic members, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Wounded Warrior’s for their recognition of and desire to help these members,” said Mike Merriman, Unit Chair – Paramedic Services, CUPE Local 416
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