Investing $900,000 to support mental health of frontline workers

Funding will support PTSD, trauma and the mental health of those most affected by COVID-19.

Vancouver – 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 throughout our post-pandemic recovery.

Hedy Fry, on behalf of Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $900,000 in funding to the Dr. Peter Centre for a project supporting the mental health of frontline workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.  The Dr Peter Centre is implementing a national trauma and violence-informed “train-the-trainer” mentorship project. This project aims to support frontline health and social service providers, including harm reduction workers and peer workers with lived experience of substance use, who are at risk of experiencing PTSD and trauma due to their work.

Up to 50 organizations, and an estimated 100 service providers, from across the country will be reached through training, tailored resources, and community of practice sessions. The funding is part of a larger investment in Budget 2021 of $50 million to help those experiencing, or at risk for, PTSD and trauma due to the pandemic, including frontline and essential service providers.