This week is #MentalHealthWeek and this is a time to #GetReal about how we can support the mental health of our active and retired police officers and civilian members.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is here to support your unique and individual needs. Encompas provides OPPA members with a comprehensive array of mental health supports and timely access to confidential, effective and safe mental health support. In addition, the Encompas Member Portal provides mental health education, skill-building and holistic self-guided support for OPPA members and their families.
We can help you 24/7/365 by calling 1-866-794-9117 or online at Encompascare.ca.
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Retired OPP Staff Sergeant and GlobalMedic Canada volunteer Kathleen Doherty joins the 10-5 Podcast to discuss her recent time in Moldova providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
Listen to the podcast on the OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
For additional information on GlobalMedic’s response to the conflict in Ukraine or to donate, please visit GlobalMedic.ca
To donate to the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, please click here.
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca
The OPP Association welcome the announcement today in the Ontario Budget that the Solicitor General intends to administer a program to distribute $45 Million over three years to support organizations and programs that provide public safety personnel with access to specialized mental health services.
The OPP Association has been fortunate to have provided extensive support to our members and their families since the start of our Ontario Provincial Government funded Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program in 2020. Our members work collaboratively in emergency response situations that often involve long lasting trauma for our members as well as our partners in corrections, emergency health services, and fire services. We believe that this proposed funding is a good step to sustainable mental health for our first responder community, and it will save lives.
The proposed focus of the programming is on mental health promotion and resiliency as well as early intervention and treatment. Funding, when implemented, would support police, corrections, emergency health services, and fire. Programs that specifically support customized Employee and Family Assistance Programs are an identified priority for public safety personnel and their families through the Mental Health Collaborative Tables.
The Solicitor General also intends to invest $0.5M to create an online province wide inventory of regionally available mental health programs restricted to wellness coordinators across fire, police, corrections, and emergency health services. These programs will focus on mental health promotion, resiliency, early intervention, and treatment for PSP including municipal police and fire and emergency health services as well as provincial correctional employees and the Ontario Provincial Police and their families.
Rob Stinson, President
Ontario Provincial Police Association
On the National Day of Mourning the OPP Association remembers the sacrifice of 110 OPP police officers who died in the line of duty, 43 members since 1989 who died by suicide, and all injured. We sit with the grief of all families who have suffered from the death or injury of a loved one to a workplace injury.
We pledge to work to ensure health & safety of our members who serve the people of Ontario with integrity every day.
We work tirelessly through the Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program to save and improve the lives of our members and their families. Together with our community partners, and thanks to the funding of the Ontario provincial government, we are improving our mental health services to our members. As you can see from the numbers, there is always more work to do. We also appreciate the efforts of the OPP Healthy Workplace Team led by Chief Psychologist Dr. Vivien Lee, who also are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of our members. One life lost is too many.
When we posted for the National Day of Mourning in 2021, we had 110 OPP officers who had died in the line of duty and 39 who had died by suicide.
We feel it is important that it is publicly known that as of April 19, 2022, there were five more of our members who died by suicide since the 2021 Day of Mourning. The total OPP suicide statistics, as compiled by the OPPA since 1989, include 17 retired members (16 who served in a sworn uniform capacity, and 1 who served in a civilian capacity) and 26 actively serving OPP members (25 who served in uniform capacity and 1 who served in a civilian role).
Thankfully, in 2022 to date, we have not had a line of duty death. We look forward to honouring our members and all police officers who have died in the line of duty in the province of Ontario at the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation Ceremony of Remembrance on May 1, 2022 in Toronto. The OPP Association is fully committed to efforts to honour our members who have died in the line of duty and died by suicide.
We look forward to collaborating and working with all stakeholders to ensure the safety of our members and their families. The safety and well being of our members is our top priority.
On this Day of Mourning education and understanding of the significance and history of the day is important.
In conclusion, the following is an excerpt from the Ontario Workers Safety Insurance Bureau website (WSIB).
In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress established April 28th as the National Day of Mourning in Canada to remember and honour those who have died, been injured or suffered illness in the workplace.
The date was chosen in 1984, when the Canadian Labour Congress proclaimed the Day to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the day the first Ontario Worker’s Compensation Act was approved by the government (1914). The Day of Mourning was enshrined in national legislation by an Act of Parliament on February 1, 1991.
The Day of Mourning, also known as Workers’ Memorial Day, is officially recognized in about 100 countries worldwide.
Canadian flags on Parliament Hill and at Queen’s Park fly at half-staff on April 28th. The day is traditionally marked in many ways including holding public ceremonies, wearing black and yellow ribbons, lighting candles, observing a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. and sharing stories about how workplace tragedies have touched peoples’ lives.
Rob Stinson, President
Ontario Provincial Police Association
Wednesday April 27th, 2022 is Administrative Professionals Day.
On behalf of the OPPA Board of Directors and our membership, thank you to all of the administrative professionals at the OPP Association and throughout the Ontario Provincial Police organization for all that you do each and every day to serve and protect our members and the citizens in Ontario.
We are celebrating all of you today at OPPA Head Office with a coffee break hosted by our CAO Lisa Shipley.
Please know that your work is valued and appreciated each and every day. All the best to you and your families.
Rob Stinson, President
Ontario Provincial Police Association
The annual Ontario Police Memorial Foundation (OPMF) Ceremony of Remembrance will take place on May 1, 2022. For the first time since 2019, this will be a full regimental, in-person ceremony. OPMF President Jason Tomlinson and OPPA Director Lynn Neale discuss join the 10-5 Podcast to discuss this year’s ceremony. Topics include the history of the OPMF and the Memorial itself, details of this year’s ceremony, including logistics and the names being added to the Wall of Honour, the criteria for inclusion on the Memorial, and how you can watch at home if you are unable to attend in person.
Listen to the podcast on the OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
For additional information on the OPMF, please visit their website. For additional information on the Ceremony of Remembrance and to view a live stream of the Ceremony, please click here.
Follow the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
The Ontario Police Memorial Fellowship Night takes place at the Petty Cash Social House, 487 Adelaide Street West in Toronto on April 30, 2022 at 7:30pm. As capacity is limited, please RSVP to hwood@tpa.ca by April 25th.
Logistical information for the Ceremony of Remembrance is available at https://ceremonyofremembrance.ca/.
The Police Memorial Assistance Request Form for OPPA members is available on our website by clicking here (log in required).
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.
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Dr. Glenn J. Landry is the President and Chief Sleep Officer of CRS Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Inc. In advance of his first of three sessions as part of the Encompas Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series, Dr. Landry joins the 10-5 Podcast and guest host Carl Dalton to discuss sleep for first responders. Topics include “circadian dysregulation”, sleep debt and its impact on long-term health, “Why I can’t sleep?”, and sleep deprivation and the relationship between sleep health and mental health.
Listen to the podcast on player above or on the OPPA blog OPPA.ca/Media or on Google, Apple, Spotify and more by clicking on the image above.
For additional information on CRS Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Inc., please visit their website.
The Encompas Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series takes place on the last Wednesday of the month. Dr. Landry’s series of 75 minute sessions will take place on April 27, May 25, and June 29. For further information, to register for a session, or to view one of the previous sessions in the series, please visit the Encompas website.
The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:
Telephone – 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)
Email – info@encompascare.ca
Website – https://www.encompascare.ca/
If you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca.
OPP Provincial Constable Alfred J. Ferguson was honoured with a bridge named in his memory at a ceremony at the Hawkesbury OPP Detachment on Tuesday April 12, 2022. The bridge at Highway 417 and Highway 34 in Hawkesbury is now named the Constable Alfred J. Ferguson Memorial Bridge.
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique officially unveiled the sign. Deputy Commmissoner Chris Harkins attended the ceremony along with a number of OPP members. The OPP Association were represented by Civilian Director David Sabatini and Director Terri Hubbert. A number of family members of the fallen officer attended.
OPP Provincial Constable “Alf” Ferguson, Badge #32 died in the line of duty in Brockville, Ontario on May 23, 1940 when his police motorcycle was involved in a collision. Ferguson served the citizens of Ontario in Brockville and Hawkesbury in his 10 years with the Ontario Provincial Police. Prior to his OPP career he worked for the Department of Highways. Further historical details can be read on the OPPA Honour Roll.
The following is a copy of the remarks delivered by OPPA Civilian Director Sabatini at the unveiling ceremony.
Good Afternoon.
OPP Commissioner Carrique;
Deputy Commissioner Harkins
Local dignitaries;
And most importantly: family and friends of OPP Provincial Constable Alfred J. Ferguson:
On behalf of both the Uniform and Civilian members of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, it is a privilege to join you today as we honour the life and service of OPP Provincial Constable Alfred Ferguson with a bridge dedication here in Hawkesbury.
Thank you for the invitation to be here and bring greetings from President Rob Stinson, the Board of Directors, Staff and Membership of the OPP Association.
We thank the Ontario Government for honouring the memory of our police officers who have died in the line of duty by the naming of bridges in memory of our members who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
These bridge dedications ensure the service and sacrifice in the line of duty of our members will never be forgotten by the communities that they served. This is important to their families, friends, colleagues, and the entire community.
Rest assured that the service and sacrifice of PC Ferguson and all our 110 OPP Officers who have died in the line of duty will never be forgotten.
PC Ferguson’s name is engraved on our OPP Association Wall of Honour at our head office in Barrie, at our Memorial Wall at OPP Headquarters, at our Memorial Wall at the Ontario Police College, on the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation at Queen’s Park, and on the Canadian Police and Peace Officers Memorial on Parliament Hill.
It is comforting for our membership to know that the names of our fallen officers are also visible along our Ontario highways.
This creates awareness and continued dialogue to ensure that their service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
I would like to invite everyone here and the public to gather with our policing community annually on the first Sunday in May at Queen’s Park and the last Sunday in September on Parliament Hill to remember PC Ferguson and all officers who have died in the line of duty.
Provincial Constable Ferguson and all of our fallen officers are our Heroes In Life, Not Death.
Thank you.
The following is the official news release from the OPP about the event:
ntario Honours OPP Constable Who Died in the Line of Duty
NEWS RELEASE April 12, 2022
HAWKESBURY – Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Commissioner Thomas Carrique dedicated a bridge in memory of a Hawkesbury police officer who lost his life while serving in the line of duty.
“Ontario’s police officers serve their communities with honour and distinction. This bridge is a dedication in keeping Provincial Constable Ferguson’s memory alive,” said Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
“Every day, thousands of police officers across Ontario put their lives on the line to serve and protect their families and communities,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “By dedicating this bridge, we acknowledge the tremendous commitment and sacrifice made by Provincial Constable Ferguson.”
Provincial Constable Alfred J. Ferguson, aged 38, was tragically killed in a motor vehicle collision on May 23, 1940. He was survived by his wife, 12-year-old son, parents, six brothers and three sisters.
“I am grateful to police officers for their dedication in keeping our families and communities safe,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “This bridge dedication is a tribute to Provincial Constable Ferguson’s service to the people of Ontario.”
Memorial signs with the officer’s name and police service crest have been posted at each side of the bridge in his honour.
QUICK FACTS
- Since 2002, Ontario has permitted bridges and other highway structures to be dedicated in memory of fallen police officers.
- Seventy-three provincial highway structures have been dedicated to fallen police officers.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Read more about the fallen officers
Find out more about the Ontario Provincial Police
MEDIA CONTACTS
Sgt. Cynthia Savard
Ontario Provincial Police
613-285-4850
Ontario.ca/safety-news
Disponible en français
Photo of OPP Communicators courtesy of OPPA 7 Branch.
On behalf of the OPPA Board of Directors, our staff and our membership, it is a pleasure to recognize the dedication and professionalism of our OPPA communicator members and all of our first responder communicators across North America during Public Safety Communicator Appreciation Week April 10th – 17th. This year, in 2022, is extra special as we celebrate 20yrs of our civilian members being a part of the OPP Association.
The staff working in our OPP Provincial Communications Centres are a lifeline for our members and the communities throughout Ontario 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. They often sacrifice family time and their personal lives to be dedicated to protecting the safety of the citizens of province of Ontario and our police officers. They are often the unsung heroes in saving lives. The work our Communicators do is world class, and we are proud to have them as members of the OPP Association.
We know that many of our police officers have special random acts of kindness in appreciation of our Communicators planned this week. Please know that your work is valued and critical each and every day. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Rob Stinson, President and CEO and the Board of Directors
Ontario Provincial Police Association
Click on image to download information booklet on Sleep that accompanies this webinar series
Mental Health Awareness and Communication Series
Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program
April 27th, May 25th and June 22nd, 2022 – 1PM – 215PM ET
Featuring Dr. Glenn J. Landry, Sleep Expert
Free sign up for Zoom Webinars by clicking here
About the Speaker:
Glenn Landry has studied circadian rhythms and sleep for over 20 years. He completed his graduate research at Simon Fraser University, exaimining circadian mechanisms of entrainment, supervised by Dr. Ralph Mistlberger and supported by grants from MSFHR and NSERC. He then focused his research efforts on sleep, aging and cognition as a CIHR postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose’s Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive eurosvience Lab at UBC. His research there explored age-related changes in sleep duration, efficiency and architecture that contribute to or accelerate cognitive decline in older adults. As an academic, Glenn’s goal was to develop chronotherapeutic interventions capable of delaying cognitive decline in older adults, with the objective of improving quality of life, productivity, and extending capacity for independent living. Now in private practice, Glenn is a sleep coach. He works with older adults, shift workers, and families to improve physical and mental health throughout better sleep quality by translating sleep science into practical interventions tailored to each client.
About the First Session of the Three-Part Series:
Elite Sleep #1 – Sleep Matters!
We kick off this series with an introduction to the consensus sleep science explaining why, if you want to be elite, you need to first become an Elite Sleeper. We explain how sleep health impacts every aspect of human health and performance. Participants will learn: (1) what defines Elite Sleep (i.e., optimal sleep architecture); (2) how to objectively measure their sleep architecture; and (3) how to begin their journey toward better sleep health.
To learn more about Dr. Landry and the next two sessions which build on one another, download the Three-Part Series Information Booklet.
If you are unable to participate, you will be able to watch a recorded version on the Encompas website.
Visit EncompasCare.ca for more details and to register for this or subsequent sessons on May 25th and June 22nd, 2022.
Note: To ensure your anonymity, your registration information will ONLY be available to the hosts from Dalton Associates. Registrants will NOT have the option of turning on their camera or microphone at any time. Questions will be managed through the text Q&A which are sent only to the hosts – Dalton Associates. They will either answer those questions verbally without referencing the name of the participant who asked the question, or privately through the text function.
All sessions will be delivered through the PHIPA compliant version of Zoom Webinar.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact encompas@daltonassociates.ca