Canada Opening Facility for Responders’ Traumatic Stress Injuries

Runnymede Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Canada will be home to this country’s first-ever rehabilitation center for treating first responders and frontline health care workers experiencing post-traumatic stress injuries. According to the federal government agency Public Safety Canada, “The term post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) is a nonclinical term that encompasses a range of mental health injuries, including some operational stress injuries, clinically diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.”           

“Our plan, in partnership with the government of Ontario, will include an investment in new construction for a stand-alone dedicated first responders assessment center in Toronto and residential treatment facility in Peel Region,” said Connie Dejak, president and CEO of Runnymede Healthcare Centre. “This investment will provide first responders and frontline health care workers suffering from post-traumatic stress injury access to a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to their needs.”

Known as Station 3434, the Runnymede First Responders Post Traumatic Stress Injury Rehabilitation Centre will provide first responders and frontline health care workers with access to a full range of care options, including prevention, intensive treatment, aftercare, and return-to-work support. It will be assisted in these efforts by many first responder associations and organizations. As well, the center will offer virtual care to PTSI patients in other parts of Canada. Its personnel will also support clinical research into PTSI.

At present the center is still in the drawing board stage. The national and provincial governments are donating C$1 million each (about US $750,000) to fund planning for this project. Meanwhile, Peel Region (a part of the greater Toronto area) will provide 26 acres of land to house the center’s inpatient facility.

“The brave police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who respond to emergency situations and work to protect our communities are often exposed to traumatic events that put them at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges,” said Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Our government is pleased to support the Runnymede Healthcare Center in its planning for wellness and rehabilitation facilities to help ensure emergency responders in Toronto and Peel have access to the care and resources they may need.”

“First responders run in when everyone else runs out,” added Matthew Pegg, chief of Toronto Fire Services. “The number of potentially traumatic scenes they attend in a week may be more than what most people experience in their lifetime. There is a huge need for the specialized mental health supports that will be offered at the center, and we know the care first responders will receive there will make a monumental difference in their lives and the lives of their families.“

James Careless is a freelance writer and frequent contributor to EMS World.