Ontario building 2 specialized treatment facilities in GTA for first responders

Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement regarding the creation of the Runnymede Healthcare Centre, a rehabilitation centre dedicated to treating first responders and medical personnel with post-traumatic stress injuries, in Toronto on Thursday, March 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Ontario has announced the building of Canada’s first dedicated post-traumatic stress injury treatment centres for first responders in Toronto and Caledon.

The provincial government released a statement on Friday, saying they’re expanding “access to comprehensive mental health and rehabilitation treatment for first responders affected by work-related stress or trauma” by building Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence for first responders.

The new funding is an addition to the previously invested $10.7 million for two of Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s new facilities, the statement says.

Premier Doug Ford says investing in mental health and rehabilitation for first responders is their way of giving back to the first responder community.

“We owe a huge debt to our first responders, who make incredible sacrifices every day to keep families and communities across Ontario safe,” Ford said.

Once opened, the centre will provide care to 1,500 workers and accommodate 41,700 visits each year.

The services offered will include mental health assessments, rehabilitation and residential treatment, virtual care, 24/7 crisis support, peer support and navigation support.

Toronto’s facility will focus on rehabilitative services like assessment, intensive outpatient therapy and aftercare. It will also have recreation programs focusing on health and recovery.

Calendon’s facility will have 40 residential beds to make sure first responders get comprehensive treatments that are tailored to them.

Connie Dejak, president and CEO of Runnymede Healthcare Centre, says the centre will help all first responders and their families get end-to-end care.

“Our system fails to adequately protect First Responders who are structurally exposed to traumatic events throughout their careers,” Dejak says.

Greg Sage, Halton’s chief of paramedic services and president of Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, believes these new services will help the first responders stay healthy so they can continue to care for the communities of Ont.

“Paramedics encounter situations that put them at a high risk for PTSD and other mental health challenges, as such they require access to specialized treatment options in a timely manner,” Sage says.

Around 23 per cent of all first responders suffer from post-traumatic stress injuries, according to Canadian Mental Health Association.