Ontario's new PTSD prevention strategy shows promise
Ontario has announced a new initiative
to help prevent and mitigate
the onset of post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) amongst first responders
including police personnel,
firefighters and paramedics.
Ontario has claimed that the focus of this initiative will be on prevention and reducing stigma.
PTSD is an illness that was once known more commonly as “shell shock”. It is caused by over exposure to traumatic stressors, either as a single event, or repeatedly over time. The symptoms can range from painful flashbacks to outbursts to insomnia, and often reduce an individual’s ability to function normally.
First responders are at least twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to the general population, as their vocations routinely put them into traumatic and dangerous situations.
Already in 2016 eight first responders in Canada have committed suicide due to the disorder. This is not entirely out of the ordinary; in 2014 it was reported that 13 first responders had killed themselves in the span of roughly 10 weeks.
Ontario’s new initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, will attempt to address this issue using four major elements.
These include a radio and digital campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma and an annual leadership summit to discuss best practices in deal with PTSD, among others. Additionally, the initiative will implement a free online toolkit for employers of first responders to use to help mitigate the risk of PTSD. Lastly, grants for research to support the prevention of PTSD will be included in the initiative.
New legislation would also alter the way PTSD is dealt with by employers on a case by case basis. Currently, first responders are made to prove that their PTSD is work related before they will receive any treatment from the Work Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).
This can be difficult according to Melanie White, a Fanshawe student enrolled in the Paramedic program: “It’s very difficult to prove, how do you prove that this one incident on the job caused the PTSD, or, for a lot of people it’s a cumulative thing, maybe it’s years of calls that pile up, and eventually they start showing signs and symptoms.”
Even those who show signs and symptoms may not be aware of the severity of their situation or even that the illness exists. Bronwynne Harvey, a Fanshawe student studying Police Foundations is one such example.
“I just thought I had anxiety [until I was diagnosed]… I just thought it was a soldier’s disease.” said Harvey.
Under the new legislation PTSD would be included as a presumptive occupational illness by the WSIB. This is not unheard of for first responders, as various types of cancer are presumed work related for firefighters, even though the specific cause can often be difficult to prove.
While Ontario has yet to set a date for the legislation to be voted on, it has agreed to launch a $300,000 advertisement campaign in March to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around PTSD, which Harvey agrees is a step in the right direction.
“I’m lucky enough to have done a lot of work on myself, and have become comfortable with myself… for someone who hasn’t been able to that, someone who hasn’t experienced anything like this before, it would be very hard for them, but with less stigma and more awareness it might be easier for them to cope.”
Ontario has claimed that the focus of this initiative will be on prevention and reducing stigma.
PTSD is an illness that was once known more commonly as “shell shock”. It is caused by over exposure to traumatic stressors, either as a single event, or repeatedly over time. The symptoms can range from painful flashbacks to outbursts to insomnia, and often reduce an individual’s ability to function normally.
First responders are at least twice as likely to develop PTSD compared to the general population, as their vocations routinely put them into traumatic and dangerous situations.
Already in 2016 eight first responders in Canada have committed suicide due to the disorder. This is not entirely out of the ordinary; in 2014 it was reported that 13 first responders had killed themselves in the span of roughly 10 weeks.
Ontario’s new initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, will attempt to address this issue using four major elements.
These include a radio and digital campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma and an annual leadership summit to discuss best practices in deal with PTSD, among others. Additionally, the initiative will implement a free online toolkit for employers of first responders to use to help mitigate the risk of PTSD. Lastly, grants for research to support the prevention of PTSD will be included in the initiative.
New legislation would also alter the way PTSD is dealt with by employers on a case by case basis. Currently, first responders are made to prove that their PTSD is work related before they will receive any treatment from the Work Safety Insurance Board (WSIB).
This can be difficult according to Melanie White, a Fanshawe student enrolled in the Paramedic program: “It’s very difficult to prove, how do you prove that this one incident on the job caused the PTSD, or, for a lot of people it’s a cumulative thing, maybe it’s years of calls that pile up, and eventually they start showing signs and symptoms.”
Even those who show signs and symptoms may not be aware of the severity of their situation or even that the illness exists. Bronwynne Harvey, a Fanshawe student studying Police Foundations is one such example.
“I just thought I had anxiety [until I was diagnosed]… I just thought it was a soldier’s disease.” said Harvey.
Under the new legislation PTSD would be included as a presumptive occupational illness by the WSIB. This is not unheard of for first responders, as various types of cancer are presumed work related for firefighters, even though the specific cause can often be difficult to prove.
While Ontario has yet to set a date for the legislation to be voted on, it has agreed to launch a $300,000 advertisement campaign in March to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around PTSD, which Harvey agrees is a step in the right direction.
“I’m lucky enough to have done a lot of work on myself, and have become comfortable with myself… for someone who hasn’t been able to that, someone who hasn’t experienced anything like this before, it would be very hard for them, but with less stigma and more awareness it might be easier for them to cope.”
