REMEMBERING and catching up with friends on Remembrance Day. Photo by Tom Godfrey.
The Ontario government is investing more than $529,000 through the True Patriot Love Foundation to expand access to specialized mental health services and support for Ontario’s veterans returning to civilian life.
The funding will be directed to community-based programs offering group counselling, and supports for women who suffered sexual trauma during combat.
SOME much-needed funding for our veterans and front-line workers.
“Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices to keep our province and country safe, and we have a responsibility to be there to support them when they need us,” said Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “I am proud that our government is prioritizing our veterans and I am grateful to the True Patriot Love Foundation for their delivery of this important specialized programming.”
The funding will help support True Patriot Love Foundation’s work with agency partners in Ontario to deliver targeted, specialized programs to veterans; including peer support to reduce depression, substance abuse and suicide.
LEST We Forget! Praying for loved ones.
Funds will also be used to help with safe space for female veterans to discuss experiences related to military sexual trauma, counselling for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the spouses or partners struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and expanding programs and services offered by mental health agencies.
Ontario is home to approximately 228,000 of Canada’s veterans and every year from 9,000 to 10,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are released from military service; with one third indicating they have a hard time transitioning to civilian life.
The province is also investing $12.4 million over two years to provide existing and expanded mental health and addictions supports for all frontline health care workers across the province.
FUNDING coming from province to help struggling front-line workers. Courtesy photo.
MPP Christine Elliott said the investment will protect our progress in the fight against COVID-19 by supporting the workforce of the acute care, long-term care, and home and community care sectors in their efforts to provide high-quality care and service to patients, long-term care residents, and clients.
“Ontario’s frontline health care workers have been unwavering in their dedication to protect the health and safety of Ontarians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and just as they are there for us, we need to be there for them,” said Elliott, who is the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health.
The COVID‑19 pandemic has had a significant impact on frontline health care workers’ mental health. This funding will provide continued rapid access to the following expanded or new treatment options and supports specifically for this workforce:
The government is partnering with five hospitals, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, and the Ontario Psychological Association to offer these mental health and addictions supports.