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deadline is june 13

Province announces support for first responders, health care workers experiencing PTSD

Apr 16, 2022 | 10:32 AM

The province of Alberta says it’s providing funds to assist first responders and emergency health care workers in dealing with post-traumatic stress.

The funding totals $1.5 million, and can be applied for by non-profit service providers and Canadian-based researchers through Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders program.

The deadline to apply is June 13.

“First responders and emergency health-care workers are at greater risk for work-related mental health issues, which is why Alberta’s government committed to providing extra supports,” says Kaycee Madu, Minister of Labour and Immigration. “These heroes put their mental and physical health on the line every day to keep Albertans safe and it’s vital to have their backs.”

According to the province, from 2015 to 2019, there were 685 Workers’ Compensation Board claims costing $104 million for first responders related to post-traumatic stress injuries.

Alberta’s first responders include:

  • more than 14,000 full-time, part-time, casual and volunteer firefighters, about 80 per cent of which are volunteers
  • more than 7,500 police officers
  • more than 9,400 paramedics
  • more than 770 sheriffs
  • more than 1,500 corrections officers