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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 8 First-responders need support to cope with job stress continued from p.3 "We also respond afterward to educate members about the effects of stress on the body and the mind, to offer confidential one-on-one consultations with Dr. Jane and to also offer a confidential followup appointment with a psychologist, if necessary." The unit is housed away from existing police stations in a building on South Service Road in Oakville to maximize confidentiality. The Wellness Unit recognizes families of police members are also impacted when that individual is struggling. To help these families, the unit is setting up a private web page called `Backing the Blue' starting in the fall. The web page will provide access to a number of resources, including the Employee Assistance Program, other mental health contacts and educational programs. Those present heard from Oakville Mayor and Halton Regional Police Service Board Chair Rob Burton who spoke about the importance of the new unit. key dimension of a healthy workplace. He also drew attention to last year's passage of Bill 163 The Supporting Ontario's First Responder's Act by Queen's Park. "All parties in the Legislature agreed supporting Ontario's first responders, who suffer from PTSD, is a priority," said Flynn, who could not attend, but appeared in a video recorded for the launch. "After all, when we need help, first responders are there for us, so it is only fitting that we be there for them when they need us the most." Halton Regional Police Association President Rob Todd said in the past two and a half years, he has been president of the association he has dealt with and assisted a "surprising number" of members, who have suffered psychological injuries as a result of their role in policing. He said the association has worked with the police service to support the establishment of the Wellness Unit and said he believes the unit will provide the necessary assistance to police members and their families who need emotional and psychological support. Halton police Supt. Jeff Hill also spoke about the importance of the new unit. "With 20 per cent of all Canadians personally experiencing mental illness in their lifetime, there are undoubtedly people in this room currently fighting a silent battle," he said. DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky Wong W For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 "We owe you back to your families and your loved ones in as good a condition as when they send you to us," said Burton, addressing the officers in the audience. "We recognize on the board that we place a huge burden of performance expectations on every member of the service and we seek to balance that by accepting the responsibility to make sure that you are looked after well enough to also have a good life in the community you are keeping safe." Ontario Labour Minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn said employers are beginning to recognize mental health as a ST . JOSEPH'S UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH presents ill kv kville ville ak a k v i ll le e SATURDAY SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 24,2016 Live Entertainment Homemade Ukrainian Food · Vendors · Artisans · Exhibits · ukrainian catholic church 10:00 AM ­ 5:00 PM FREEADMISSION 300 River River Oaks Oaks Blvd. Blvd. E. E. (at (AtT Trafalgar) 300 rafalgar) Oakville Oakville, ON L6H 5T1 905.337.1400 ext. 116 905.337 .1400 ext. 116 60th anniversary festival@sjucc.ca OakUkrFest Oakville Ukrainian Festival