News & Events
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. CIPSRT’s mission is to help support mental health by working with researchers and with Public Safety Personnel to advance our understanding of the things that can put one’s mental health at risk and by studying the effectiveness of different approaches to improving and protecting mental health.
Public Safety Personnel—including police, paramedics, career and volunteer firefighters, communications personnel, correctional employees, border security agents, and intelligence personnel— are exposed to dangerous and potentially traumatic events as part of their work that keeps us safe. Not surprisingly, they appear to be at higher risk of experiencing mental health injuries than the general population. According to Statistics Canada, approximately 1 in 10 people in the general public struggle with their mental health. In a recent Canadian study by researchers affiliated with CIPSRT, people in Public Safety professions appeared to report mental health symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, at rates four times higher than the general population.
As a result, it is important to recognize and thank our Public Safety Personnel for everything they do for our communities and to reaffirm our commitment to improving the lifetime wellness of Canadian Public Safety Personnel, their leadership, and their families through collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships.
On World Mental Health Day, remember to take care of yourself, support those around you, and acknowledge the contributions of Public Safety Personnel in your community.