OTTAWA,
ON, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ - 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.
Quotes
"When a community is in crisis, we can't look away. That's why
our government is supporting McMaster's
CanEMERG project to help communities across Canada plan for and respond to emergencies and
traumatic events. Supporting the social, emotional and
psychological wellbeing of people and communities is key to
creating more resilient communities."
The Honourable Ya'ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of
Health
"As we shift to the post-pandemic period, Canada continues to face threats related to
shifting environmental and global circumstances. Through CanEMERG,
we will leverage lessons learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
to enhance preparedness for current and future emergencies and
disasters, ensuring that Canadians and the communities in which
they reside have rapid access to evidence-informed psychosocial
supports aimed at protecting their mental health and
wellbeing."
Margaret McKinnon, PhD CPsych
Homewood Research Chair in Mental Health and Trauma and Professor
in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at
McMaster University
Quick Facts
- In October 2020, an independent
public inquiry titled the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) was
established to examine the April 2020
mass casualty in Portapique, Nova
Scotia, and to provide meaningful recommendations to help
keep communities safer. This funding is in response to the MCC's
final report and will assist communities in ensuring that
psychosocial support needs are included in response to an emergency
or other potentially psychologically traumatic event.
- The 2023 Canada's Chief Public Health Officer annual report
explores the inequitable health impacts of emergencies. It
highlights opportunities for public health to contribute to
emergency management through the essential public health functions,
particularly health promotion approaches that can support equity
and resilience. This funding can help contribute to the report's
call to action.
- Canada continues to take a
range of actions to support mental health and well-being. The
9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline is available to everyone in
Canada via voice and text, 24/7,
365 days a year, in both English and French.
- Anyone in Canada can visit
Canada.ca/mental-health to access mental health and substance use
supports and services, available both where they live and
virtually.
Associated Links
- News Release: Governments of Canada and Nova
Scotia announce steps to address recommendations made by the
Mass Casualty Commission
- Anniversary of the Release of the Mass Casualty Commission
Final Report
- CPHO Report 2023 - Creating the Conditions for Resilient
Communities: A Public Health Approach to Emergencies
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada