June 28, 2024, Mississauga, Ont. – The Ontario government has announced an investment of $2.7 million 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. This investment will come through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, bringing Ontario’s total investment in skills development training 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 … 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. This platform aims to 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.
“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,” said – Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police.
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.
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