Communities across Canada are facing increased health challenges in the wake of more frequent and intense emergencies, such as devastating wildfires, floods and other traumatic incidents. It is important to recognize the impact these events can have on our mental health and learn when and how to seek help if someone is struggling.
Today, on National Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Day, the Honourable Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced a grant for McMaster University's Canadian Emergency Response Psychosocial Support Network CanEMERG project totalling $749,932. This funding is linked to the Government of Canada's response to the Mass Casualty Commission's (MCC) Final Report ─ Turning the Tide Together, which includes recommendations to better support the mental health of people in affected communities.
McMaster University's Trauma and Recovery Lab will lead this initiative, aiming to provide communities across Canada with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to plan, develop and access psychosocial supports in response to emergencies or other situations that may be traumatic.
Psychosocial supports are non-medical supports that promote mental health and wellbeing. These supports can include helping people understand and use healthcare and community services, advocating for basic services and security, and supporting community networks, social groups, and social service organizations.
These supports are most needed in the aftermath of emergencies and traumatic events. These events can disrupt a community, make people feel unsafe, and affect a person's ability to cope with stress and trauma. The mental health impacts of these events can be long lasting and are not the same for everyone, underscoring the importance of accessible and inclusive supports.
With the funding announced today, CanEMERG will develop free online access to evidence-based resources designed to support the needs of organizations and individuals, military personnel, veterans, public safety professionals, healthcare workers and other essential workers, populations or communities experiencing structural inequities. This will support community resiliency and recovery by helping communities and individuals in planning for and responding to emergencies or other traumatic events in Canada.
