Ottawa, ON – Today, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) announced they will work together to collaborate on the development and promotion of the MHCC’s Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training program for the fire service across Canada. Tailored to meet their specific needs, this program improves short and long-term mental health outcomes through raising awareness, tackling stigma and heightening resiliency.
“The MHCC applauds the CAFC for putting mental health and wellness at the top of the agenda,” says Louise Bradley, MHCC President and CEO. “I believe this initiative will do more than improve lives…it will save them.”
“By investing in early intervention training, we are putting our people in the best position to deliver services to our communities, while maintaining their own mental health,” agrees Paul Boissonneault, CAFC President and Fire Chief, County of Brant, Ontario. “We are very excited, because starting next week, the first of 30,000 fire fighters will begin training, right here in Ontario.”
Initially developed by the Department of National Defence, R2MR has been adapted for a first responder setting. Over the next year, the MHCC and the CAFC will be working to further tailor the program to accommodate a full range of personnel, from career firefighters to volunteers to civilian dispatch workers.
Overall, participants observe that the training makes a difference by starting important conversations and improving mental health awareness.
For more information please visit the MHCC website at www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA
Guided by Changing Directions, Changing Lives: The Mental Health Strategy for Canada, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is a catalyst for improving the mental health system and changing the attitudes and behaviours of Canadians around mental health – at home, work, and school, as well as with the media and healthcare providers – from coast to coast to coast. Through its unique mandate from Health Canada, the Commission is Canada’s coordinating agent, bringing together the best and most influential minds in the mental health community. The MHCC is collaborating with hundreds of partners towards a mental health system that is inclusive, adaptable, and supports Canadians living with mental health problems and mental illnesses in their recovery journey. Together we accelerate change needed to transform Canada’s mental health system and the wellbeing of all.
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca | strategy.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Media Contact:
Patti Robson, Director of Marketing and Communications
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Office: 613.683.3742
Mobile: 613.282.1573
probson@mentalhealthcommission.ca
