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. Milton Canadian Champion | Thursday, May 3, 2018 | @ Insidehalton.com 2 Halton Paramedic Services get serious about workplace mental health ALEXANDRA HECK aheck@metroland.com When the unimaginable happens, paramedics are among the first responders on the scene. Bus crashes, like the one that killed 16 people in alonce vos. 337.0 . Talon & Esthetics = we = 4 9063 Derry Rd. Milton www.ExSalonce.ca - & Hay --pecials 40% OFF Laser Hair Removal MicroDermabrasion with Collagen Mask (Reg. $129) New Guinot Eye Logic Treatment Reg. $69) Voted Best Spa & Esthetics 10years narow | 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 Pxor hl ® GET CONNECTED Visit insidehalton.com/events to submit your own community events for online publishing. 1A e MONTESSORI ACADEMY Offering programs to children ages 2 1/2 to Grade 3; small class sizes; individualized lesson plans. 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 pagamedics. "We've g#t 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- ~ LIMITED FULL DAY CASA AND ELEMENTARY SPACES -ENROLL NOW FOR SEPTEMBER 2018 Join our Open House on Saturday, May 12th 10am to Te 905-864-6000 123 Main St. East Milton www.stirlingmontessori.com 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, crisis situa- tions, and what to do if an employee starts exhibiting the signs of depression, anxiety, PTSD or any other mental illness. The policy talks about the steps employers should take to keep workers in the workplace, aswell 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 Ser- vices Chief Greg Sage, "We really encourage them to keep an eye on each other." He says the standard builds on policies that the first responders already 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 staff to "take care of each other and watch out for those signs ard symptoms." Alexandra Heck/Metroland 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. Home 2Stay senior care Providing Exceptional at home senior care-~~ ZS Service Solutions: ~ Companionship ~ Personal Support Care ~ Medication Reminder ~ Transportation ~ Mental & Physical Stimulation 905-749-9466 330 Bronte St. S., Suite 111 Milton, Ontario, L9T 7X1 info@home2stayseniorcare.ca www.home2stayseniorcare.ca