HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-12-09, Page 11TOLL-FREE
1-877-513-5333
OPP launches comprehensive
integrated mental health
Special to
Clinton News Record
On December 2, Ontario
Provincial Police (OPP) Com-
missioner WN. (Vince) Hawkes
launched the "OPP Mental
Health Strategy: Our People,
Our Communities", a compre-
hensive and integrated
approach to improving the
response to the mental health
needs of OPP members and the
individuals they serve.
"How do we encourage our
people to be, and remain, resil-
ient? How can we improve out-
comes when police interact
with people with mental health
issues? These are just some of
the important questions
addressed in the OPP's Mental
Health Strategy;" said Hawkes at
a media conference. "By plac-
ing a high value on supporting
the health and wellness of our
own members, the OPP will be
in the best possible position to
deliver services to people in our
communities with mental
health issues"
The OPP Strategy has two
related but distinct compo-
nents - "Supporting Our Peo-
ple: Healthy Workforce" and
"Supporting Our Communities:
Police Interactions with People
with Mental Health Issues":
Minister of Community
Safety and Correctional Ser-
vices Yasir Naqvi expressed
his support: "Our government
believes that improving inter-
actions between police and
vulnerable individuals is
vitally important and a key
part of our Strategy for a Safer
Ontario. The OPP's new Men-
tal Health Strategy reflects that
focus and I commend them
for their work to increase
opportunities for early inter-
vention and improve out-
comes for both OPP officers
and the public they serve."
The 15 priorities for action
include the: expansion of men-
tal health education and train-
ing for officers; increased
capacity in the OPP Critical
Incident Stress Response
Team/Peer Support Program;
improved data collection and
on-going program evaluation;
the development of transfer of
care protocols (from police to
health care provider); the facili-
tation of the development of
police/mental health collabora-
tive response models; and
increased early referrals from
police to mental health
services.
At the news conference,
Hawkes said the Strategywas the
result of extensive work by the
OPP which included research on
best practices and broad stake-
holder consultation.
A complete text of the Strat-
egy, along with related materi-
als, can be found on the OPP
website athttp://www.opp.ca/
ecms/index.php?id=584.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 • News Record 11
Bayfield's Ray Letheren finalist
in Hometown Heroes Awards
CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 12
The Hometown Heroes
Award Program, estab-
lished in 2004 by Earth Day
Canada, recognizes and
celebrates environmental
leaders, groups and small
businesses which foster
meaningful, long-term
community awareness and
action. The Hometown
Heroes Award Program is
made possible through a
partnership with Mill Street
Brewery and the RBC Foun-
dation. For information on
this award visit https://
www.earthday.ca/home-
town/ Earth Day Home-
town Heroes National Win-
ner was John Barker, a
resident of West Vancouver
for 48 years, who has dedi-
cated much of his life to
environmental
stewardship, community
awareness and education.
Also a finalist was Larry
Pomerantz, of Hamilton,
founder of Earth Day Ham-
ilton -Burlington, a volun-
teer -driven non-profit
organization committed to
improving the environ-
ment. Earth Day Canada
(EDC), a national environ-
mental charity founded in
1990, provides Canadians
with the practical knowl-
edge and tools they need to
lessen their impact on the
environment. EDC edu-
cates, empowers and
inspires Canadians to
achieve local solutions to
improve the state of the
environment. EDC educa-
tional and recognition pro-
grams engage children, stu-
dents, teachers, families
and everyday Canadians.
Thinkinq dbout q
J
1
S50
The Ashwood
Restaurant
ay 1
Marital Faw
Boutiqueo
5
$0
Local Organics
106:3
$50
Cinnamon Jim's
Cafe
2eMareptry
Day
%Pad Mn'%F�
1 TUCKERSMITH COMMUNICATIONS CO-OPERATIVE LTD.
It's our favourite time of year here at TCC! The 10 business days leading up to Christmas, all TCC
customers will be entered to win with our 10 Days of Giveaways + the opportunity to pay it
forward. Every lucky winner will be given an additional $50 to donate 1 of 3 charities; Big Brothers
& Big Sisters, Huron County Christmas Bureau or The Alzheimer's Society of Huron County.
All winners will be posted on our website & Facebook!
Like us on Facebook for more chances to WIN!
3 rand rize draws
CFPAYMENTS
R
www.tcc.on.ca 519.606.2211 :' tcc@tcc.on.ca
*All active customers as of Dec. 10th will be entered to win. Some conditions apply.