The Ontario government has announced additional funding to support the families of first responders.
The province will invest over $3 million into the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program, which will provide compassionate assistance for grieving families of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance communications officers and correctional employees who are killed in the line of duty or have died by suicide.
“Families of our first responders and public safety personnel face unique mental health and addiction challenges when coping with the death of a loved one in the line of duty,” said Michael Tibollo, the associate minister of mental health and addictions, in a news release. “The new Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program will provide reliable services to families of our frontline heroes.”
Family members, such as partners, parents, siblings, and children, will be able to access mental health services such as crisis support, counselling and therapy by phone or online.
“Police personnel rely on the support of their families as they take on the difficult work of protecting our communities. When a member dies in the line of duty or because of the line of duty, we must make sure the mental health needs of those left behind are met with compassion and care,” said Mark Baxter with the Police Association of Ontario.
For more information about the Ontario Immediate Family Wellness Program, click here.
