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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 17 ,2 01 8 | 22 You get us, and we get you. The people you know, the shops and businesses you support, come to life every Thursday in your Oakville Beaver and every minute at InsideHalton.com Seeyounextweek. When the unimaginable happens, paramedics are among the first responders on the scene. Bus crashes, like the one that killed 16 people in Saskatchewan, or the re- cent van attack in Toronto are examples of how every- day, paramedics are faced with circumstances that put them at risk for devel- oping post traumatic stress disorder. In response to a growing need for mental health sup- ports for first responders, Halton Region has part- nered with the Canadian Standards Association to develop a set of guidelines to protect paramedics. "We've got a new stan- dard that's unique to para medicine," said Kevin Flynn, Ontario's labour minister, who came out to the unveiling of the new policy. "I hope it becomes an example to first re- sponders." Flynn says that he came into his position with the mandate to work on mental health issues in the work- place. "I've never seen an issue take hold in the public psy- che so quickly," he said, talking about awareness about mental health issues and reducing the stigma. "The advocacy for para- medics in Halton and Onta- rio has helped get us to where we are today," he said. The standard is a frame- work developed by a team of professionals in para medicine, with the help of the Canadian Standards Association. The 83-page document sets out the ways to identify stressors in the workplace that can lead to poorer mental health, cri- sis situations, and what to do if an employee starts ex- hibiting the signs of de- pression, anxiety, PTSD or any other mental illness. The policy talks about the steps employers should take to keep workers in the workplace, as well as a sys- tem to uphold a healthy work-life balance, and to utilize family, and the ex- ternal community in bol- stering mental health sup- port. "Staff are exposed to op- erational stress injuries," said Halton Paramedic Services Chief Greg Sage, "We really encourage them to keep an eye on each oth- er." He says the standard builds on policies that the first responders alreadyfirst responders alreadyf have in place. "It's just one more tool in the toolbox," said Sage. For paramedics like Va- nessa Vis, the policy is an important step in recogniz- ing the struggles that para- medics face. In any given week, over 500,000 Canadians will miss time from work due to mental health struggles and paramedics are a dis- proportionately affected population. "To have awareness of it is definitely important," she said, adding that the framework will help staffframework will help stafff to "take care of each other and watch out for those signs and symptoms." NEWS Halton Paramedic Services get serious about workplace mental health The Canadian Standards Association has developed a framework for paramedic services to tackle mental health issues and adress factors that put paramedics at risk for developing disorders like PTSD, depression and anxiety. Alexandra Heck/Metroland Region partners with CSA Group to bring mental health standards ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com