OPP efforts pro-actively address mental health issues highlighted in quarterly report to Ombudsman

ORILLIA, ON, Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - In the year since receiving the Ombudsman's recommendations, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to surpass project milestones to pro-actively address operational stress injuries (OSI). That progress is now highlighted in the OPP's fourth quarterly report to the Office of the Ontario Ombudsman.

In the latest OPP update, the report includes significant progress on:

• The number of people accessing internal and external support mechanisms provided for them;
  
  
• The completion of numerous consultations with other policing agencies, stakeholders and OPP members;
  
  
• A series of four 'Lunch and Learn' sessions hosted by the OPP Operational Stress Injuries Working Group. The first, entitled "Got Stress? Let's Talk About Building Resilience" was held to coincide with World Mental Health Day October 10^th. The remaining presentations are scheduled for November 2013 and in January and February of 2014; and,
  
  
• Continued OPP exploration for opportunities to offer support for family members of employees.

"We acknowledge our responses to some recommendations will always be 'in progress' as employee assistance programs -- created for the safety and well-being of our members and their families -- require ongoing evaluation and response to remain relevant and suitable," says Commissioner Chris Lewis.

The OSI Working Group continues to track health and wellness initiatives and confirms that the OPP is pro-actively hosting topical events for members at the local level across the province. The OPP encourages its members to review the OPP's quarterly reports to the Ombudsman (available on www.opp.ca) and reminds them of the various supports available to them through internal and external Employee Assistance Program services.

The English version of the OPP's fourth quarterly report can be found at this link and the French version at this link.

www.opp.ca

SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police

Media Contact:   Sgt. Pierre Chamberland
Media Relations Coordinator
OPP Corporate Communications
Phone:   [phone]