June 27, 2022 | Regina, Saskatchewan | Public Health Agency of Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many significant challenges for frontline and essential workers, who have put in long hours and experienced prolonged stress while working to keep Canadians safe and healthy. The Government of Canada recognizes that these experiences may have put many essential and occupational workers at a greater risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is committed to supporting them both now, and into our post-pandemic recovery.
Today, on PTSD Awareness Day, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced an investment of $28.2 million for nine projects to address PTSD and trauma in frontline and essential workers, and others whose mental health has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These projects will help to deliver and test interventions, develop resources for affected or at-risk populations, and create resources and guidance for service providers and organizations. The projects will reach frontline and essential workers including health care providers, public safety personnel and their families, personal support workers, and long-term care workers.
The investment will also facilitate a Knowledge Development and Exchange Hub, which will use data from these projects to help inform mental health interventions and enhance Canadian public health policy and practice.
Today's funding is part of a larger investment in Budget 2021 of $50 million over two years to help those experiencing, or at risk for, PTSD and trauma due to the pandemic, including frontline and essential service providers.
