Our government is investing $1 million for Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s First Responders Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Rehabilitation Treatment and Assessment Centre. The new Centre will provide a comprehensive mental health rehabilitation program to first responders affected by work-related stress or trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Ontario’s first responders and nurses put their lives on the line to be there in our time of need. Due to the challenging nature of the work they do to protect our communities, they experience a higher rate of PTSD and other work-related mental health issues.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve relied on Ontario’s heroic first responders and nurses more than ever before. Just as they are there for us, we need to be there for them by ensuring that they have access to the best mental health care available.
This centre is the first of its kind and will give first responders such as firefighters, paramedics, nurses and police officers the specialized, best-in-class treatment that they need and deserve.
It is estimated that over 13,000 first responders suffer from PTSD, with that number projected to grow to over 16,000 by 2040. Over time, this project has the potential to be expanded provincially and include other frontline health care professionals to help improve access to safe and effective mental health supports across the province.