Post-traumatic stress injury treatment centre for first responders coming to Caledon

January 30, 2025 · 0 Comments

Region of Peel donates land to Caledon for centre

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A major announcement of support for first responders was made in Caledon last week.

Canada’s first post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) treatment centre for first responders will be built in Caledon.

On January 24, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was in Caledon for the announcement of the Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence for First Responders, to be run by Runnymede Health Care Centre.

It will be a comprehensive mental health and rehabilitation treatment centre with a facility in Toronto and a 40-bed in-patient recovery centre in Caledon. Services provided by the centre will include mental health assessments, rehabilitation and residential treatment, virtual care, 24/7 crisis support, peer support and navigation support.

Ford said investing in mental health and rehabilitation treatment for first responders is a way to give back to the brave people who make incredible sacrifices every day to keep families and communities across Ontario safe.

Dufferin-Caledon MPP and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones said Ontario is proud to be home to world-class first responders.

“By investing in Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s PTSI Centre of Excellence project, our government is building on our work through the Roadmap to Wellness to improve access to mental health services, ensuring our first responders can connect to targeted, comprehensive supports where and when they are needed most,” said Jones.

According to a news release from the Province, it’s estimated up to 23 per cent of first responders and public safety personnel suffer from PTSI.

The Province states the PTSI Centre of Excellence will be able to provide care to 1,500 people each year, supporting 41,700 visits.

Ontario’s Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the facility will be the first of its kind and allow first responders to receive dedicated treatment for PTSI injuries, ensuring they receive the critical resources they deserve.

“Getting our first responders access to comprehensive mental health support they might need at any given time is another way our government is taking concrete action to support those who serve our communities every day,” said Kerzner.

Michael Tibollo, in his capacity as Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in Ontario, said first responders face unique and extraordinary challenges at work that put their mental health and wellbeing at risk.

“By investing in the Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence, we are ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe have access to the specialized care and support they need to heal and thrive. This is a vital step in building a continuum of care that recognizes the sacrifices made by our frontline heroes and supports them throughout their recovery journey,” said Tibollo.

Connie Dejak, President and CEO of the Runnymede Health Care Centre, said our current system fails to adequately protect first responders who are exposed to traumatic events.

“We cannot have safe, healthy, and resilient communities without safe, healthy, and resilient First Responders. It is time to serve those that serve their communities every day. The PTSI Centre of Excellence will help navigate all First Responders and their families to appropriate and timely access across the end-to-end continuum of care, from prevention, to treatment and return to wellness, throughout a person’s professional career, and beyond,” said Dejak.

Mark Baxter, President of the Police Association of Ontario, also welcomed the recent announcement.

“Expanding access to comprehensive mental health and rehabilitation services, including the creation of Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Centre of Excellence, is an investment in the well-being of the brave men and women who ensure the safety and security of our communities every day. These facilities will provide the tailored care and support our members need and deserve as they navigate the impacts of their demanding and critical work. We applaud the government for prioritizing this essential initiative,” said Baxter.

Greg Horton, President of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association, also shared praise for the announcement.

“Firefighters experience mental health challenges at a significantly higher rate than the general population due to their repeated exposure to traumatic events while serving their communities. The government’s significant investment in this mental health initiative for first responders will enable the construction to begin on this one-of-a-kind center which will provide critical support to firefighters and other first responders in need,” said Horton.

Greg Sage, President of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, gave support to the announcement as well.

“Paramedics encounter situations that put them at a high risk for PTSD and other mental health challenges, as such they require access to specialized treatment options in a timely manner. These new mental health and rehabilitative treatment services that are tailored to first responders and frontline healthcare providers will ensure that those who serve the citizens of Ontario receive the care they require to remain healthy so they are able to continue to serve and care for our communities,” said Sage.

The Region of Peel donated a 38-acre parcel of land in Mono Mills to Caledon for the centre back in 2022. Peel Region Chair Nando Iannicca said he could think of no better use for it than to turn it into a healing space for first responders in a time of need.

“Peel Region is proud to contribute to the development of the PTSI Centre of Excellence alongside the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and other partners. In coming together to build state-of-the-art mental health facilities in Toronto and Peel region, we’re saying loud and clear that protecting the mental health of first responders is a priority. The PTSI Centre of Excellence will make it easier for Peel paramedics and police struggling with post-traumatic stress injuries to get the urgent care and support they need and deserve,” said Iannicca.