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continued from p.10 Police Organizational Wellness Unit does similar work "It's been a burden carried silently by too many men and women who took it on as a direct result of their duties protecting the public and often witnessing difficult and graphic scenes so the general public wouldn't have to. I can attest there are members affected in my own department." VanderLelie said there is probably no fire department or emergency service in Canada 13 | Friday, October 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "It is very gratifying to have this report recognized and validate the mental health challenges we face and to know our government has taken critical steps to support us in protecting our mental health and well-being." Staff Sgt. Sue Biggs, who heads the Halton police Organizational Wellness Unit, supported the report and spoke about how the goals of the report and her new unit are similar. Her unit's objectives, she said, are to reduce stigma surrounding mental health, improve mental health educational opportunities for members and their families, implement early intervention techniques, provide support for struggling members and support those on sick leave. "The recommendations put forth by this report will provide a one stop shop for any public safety organization thinking or hoping to develop a wellness program," said Biggs. "There will never be a one size fits all remedy. Each service and organization is different from each other with needs, resources and availability unique in each case. These recommendations, however, will give us all a place to start, research and evidence to back us up and suggestions to try." Biggs said if the recommendations are accepted and approved, public safety officer organizations will receive the support to really make a difference in the mental health of their members and in absent members dealing with operational stress injuries. Damoff concluded her remarks by calling on all residents to contact their federal representatives to let them know they support government action in creating a national strategy for supporting public safety officers and first responders with operational stress injuries. Disposal services Halton Regional Police Staff Sgt. Sue Biggs turn enhance the service they provide to their communities. Dan VanderLelie, president of the Burlington Professional Firefighters Association, said any initiative that has the goal of reducing the sigma of PTSD or operational stress injuries and providing encouragement and resources for those affected is something that will save the lives of firefighters and other first responders. "PTSD has existed in the shadows of the fire services for far too long," he said. and receive 10% OFF the Price of Your All Commercial and Residentantial AAA 905-337-8686 www.aaadisposal.org Oakville Beaver Bin RentAl* Serving Oakville, Burlington, Milton & Mississauga 586 Third Line, Oakville AIRPORT $ FROM 45 OAKVILLE'S LOWEST RATES!! visit our Gallery corner of Bronte & Dundas *Some restrictions apply Mention Promo Code 10% Off 905-827-3331 fasada.ca