Mental Health & Wellness
Priorities
Awareness
We build awareness of the mental health challenges faced by police personnel to help remove the stigma of seeking help.
Support
We ensure police personnel know where to seek support and what programs are available to them. No one should suffer in silence.
Resources
We provide resources and tools to police personnel so they can recognize the signs of mental health challenges and take action.
Access Resources, Tools and Support Programs
Police officers and civilian personnel do everything they can to keep others safe, but too often that means putting themselves at risk.
We encourage our members to access the following resources if they are struggling and/or share these resources with colleagues who may be suffering in silence.
Please note, the Police Association of Ontario does not provide medical advice of any nature. If you need immediate help, please contact Crisis Services Canada or call 9-1-1 in an emergency. In providing the following list, we are not endorsing any of these mental health support programs and services.
Tel: 705-330-5735
Email: info@badgeoflifecanada.org
Peer supporting police and corrections personnel who are dealing with psychological injuries diagnosed from service.
Free virtual Zoom sessions available for first responders. These supportive sessions are delivered with a psychoeducational component facilitated within a peer structured environment by licensed professionals, chaplains and positive-lived experience individuals.
Digital therapy option that is personalized and guided by a registered mental health professional.
Tel: 1-833-677-2668
Anonymous 24/7 peer support for first responders.
Email: info@CanadaBeyondTheBlue.com
A peer-led, non-profit organization with Chapters across the nation. Dedicated to strengthening and supporting families of law enforcement officers in Canada. We strive to promote an awareness of our officer’s worth as well as an understanding of the joys and struggles that are uniquely experienced in life in law enforcement.
Anonymous online PTSD confidential screening tool to direct you to the appropriate supports.
Tel: 1-866-531-2600
All CMHAs in Ontario work in a variety of partnerships to provide a coordinated, continuum of care using the social determinants of health model.
Tel: 1-866-531-2600
24/7 addiction, mental health and problem gambling treatment services.
Tel: 1-800-COPLINE (267-5463)
CopLine is dedicated to serving active and retired law enforcement officers and their loved ones by providing confidential 24/7 trained retired officers for callers that are dealing with various stressors law enforcement careers encounter both on and off the job. Based out of the United States but available to those in Canada as well.
Tel: 1-800-663-1142
Employee assistance and health care.
Tel: 1-888-491-5146
Specializing in more than just treating substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Tel: 1-888-706-4808
Email: info@woundedwarriors.ca
To honour and support Canada’s ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, first responders and their families.
Police personnel and first responders are at a much greater risk of developing mental health-related conditions, such as PTSD, due to their frequent exposure to traumatic incidents. The PAO is committed to advocating for more consistent and effective mental health support programs to be available to all members across the province, no matter if they serve in a large urban centre or a small town.
Mark Baxter, President, Police Association of Ontario
Second Everyone Needs Backup Member Testimonial Video – June 2021
First Everyone Needs Backup Member Testimonial Video – October 2020
Our Toolkits
To open conversations and raise awareness about the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs), we have created the following resources. We encourage you to share these documents widely to make sure every single police member knows they are not alone.
