partnerships

Partnerships Formed to Provide Mental Health Supports

The Saanich Police Department (SPD) is proud to announce a new partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC), and Dr. Tim Black and Alex Sterling of the University of Victoria (UVic) to provide mental health support for all of its employees. This collaborative arrangement will see SPD share resources and consider referring their members in need of support to programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada.

Wounded Warriors Canada is a national charity that provides mental health support for workplace-related trauma and operational stress injuries to veterans, first responders and their families.  Partnerships with WWC and first responders have been quickly growing across the country.

In the fall of 2019, the Saanich Police Department became the first police agency in British Columbia to begin providing Trauma Resiliency Training (TRT) to its members, and anticipates that this announcement will help pave the way for other agencies across the province to access these valuable resources. This training is viewed as a key component in enhancing the trauma resiliency and wellness of all staff exposed to psychological hazards in the workplace.

The Trauma Resiliency Training (TRT) is a unique trauma education and training program for trauma-exposed professionals, created by Dr. Tim Black and Alex Sterling, RCC, at the University of Victoria, who also facilitated the sessions hosted by the Saanich Police Department. Dr. Black, is an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria, is the WWC National Clinical Advisor and a Registered Psychologist and Alex Sterling is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the Manager of Student Life at the University of Victoria.  The Central Saanich Fire Department was kind enough to provide the venue for this training, which allowed SPD to invite police officers, firefighters, and civilian staff from our valued first responder partner agencies to participate in this training.

“The Saanich Police Department is deeply committed to the health and wellness of our staff and providing them with the training and resources they require to respond to psychologically demanding calls for service in the community,” said Chief Constable Scott Green. “Through these types of strategic partnerships, we can better prepare our members to remain resilient in the face of adversity, ensure the safety of the public, and maintain our commitment to the highest standards of police service for our community.”

Media Contacts:

Markus Anastasiades  Saanich Police Department    250-475-4337  [email protected]

Suzanne Ahearne       University of Victoria             250-721-6139  [email protected]

Matt Wocks                Wounded Warriors Canada                           [email protected]partnerships

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