Ontario Investing in Mental Health Training to Support Police

Press Release

June 27, 2024

MISSISSAUGA —The Ontario government is investing $2.7 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to support an innovative project that will train approximately 160 Peer Support Workers to provide better mental health supports to thousands of police officers across Ontario, including over 2,000 officers in Peel Region. This brings Ontario’s total investment in skills development training through the SDF Training Stream to nearly $1.1 billion.

“The brave men and women in our police services put their lives on the line to keep Ontario communities safe and our government is proud to support them,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This investment through our Skills Development Fund will provide critical mental health support for our men and women in uniform to help them face the significant challenges and occupational stress that come with the job.”

This investment will be used to support a project led by Get A-Head Inc. that will introduce a new digital platform to help police peer support workers provide mental health care to police services colleagues and their families. Using cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence, this new platform will make it easier for peer support workers to identify colleagues in distress and deliver care better tailored to their needs, while automating routine organizational tasks to allow them to spend more time supporting their colleagues.

The project will also provide current and future peer support workers with standardized skills training that will prepare them to provide an enhanced quality of care.

“Our police officers put their lives on the line daily to serve and protect the people of Ontario. We know this can lead to trauma and mental health challenges for these heroes. Just as they are there for us, we need to be there for them,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “By investing in training and upskilling for police peer support workers, we are helping to make sure they have the latest tools to provide the best mental health support to our first responders.”

Quick Facts

Through the SDF Training Stream, Ontario is investing nearly $1.1 billion to support training and upskilling programs for workers and connect jobseekers with employers to land well-paying careers close to home.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors.
More than 420,000 of these participants are from an underrepresented group such as women, youth, persons with disabilities and Indigenous peoples.
The SDF Training Stream is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the Government of Canada and Government of Ontario.

Quotes

“Peel Regional Police appreciates the Government of Ontario’s investment into supports for first responders. We are pleased to participate in initiatives that support our members’ mental health and well-being and to contribute to the work that Keel Digital Solution Mind and Get A-Head are doing. The investment through the Skills Development Fund will support their ability to develop an accessible platform for police services to better support their members.”

– Chief Nishan Duraiappah
Peel Regional Police

“This investment in mental health support through the Skills Development Fund is an important step for Peel. This initiative will enhance the mental well-being of those who serve and protect our community. By leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms, this project ensures personalized and efficient mental health care, significantly benefiting thousands of police officers and civilian employees as well as their families.”

– Nando Iannicca
Chair, Peel Region

Additional Resources