Alternate Title
Report of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
Santé mentale et sécurité des collectivités : appuyer nos agents de sécurité publique à l'aide d'une stratégie nationale sur les blessures de stress opérationnel : rapport du Comité permanent de la sécurité publique et nationale.
Note
Issued also in French under title: Santé mentale et sécurité des collectivités : appuyer nos agents de sécurité publique à l'aide d'une stratégie nationale sur les blessures de stress opérationnel : rapport du Comité permanent de la sécurité publique et nationale.
"42nd Parliament, 1st Session."
Summary
"Public safety officers are at risk to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) after experiencing traumatic events while in the line of duty. All would agree that the well-being of those who help to ensure the safety and security of Canadians is paramount. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (“the Committee”) decided to conduct a study on this issue, invite witnesses, prepare a synthesis of information and make recommendations to the federal government as it begins to build a framework to address OSIs within the public safety officer community. The Committee’s key recommendations consist of three foundational pieces that will help to ensure that accurate data is collected and then shared nationally so that public safety officers are supported regardless of where they live or work. The Committee has called for the creation of a Canadian Institute for Public Safety Officer Health Research and has asked that a mental health prevalence survey be conducted. Furthermore, the Committee has suggested that an expert working group be formed and be tasked with the elaboration of a national strategy on OSIs, and that this strategy include policies on prevention, screening, education, intervention and treatment."--Executive summary.
Contents
INTRODUCTION. -- A. Need to Recognize the Particular Work Environments of Public Safety Officers. -- B. Need to Adopt Clear and Consistent Terminology for the Term “Public Safety Officer”. -- C. Need to Adopt a Clear and Consistent Definition of Operational Stress Injuries. -- D. Need for Data Collection. -- E. Other Specific Research Needs. -- 1. Repetitive Trauma and Suicides. -- 2. Use of Substances as a Form of Temporary Symptom Relief. -- F. Need for a Comprehensive Research Strategy on Prevention, Education, Screening, Intervention and Treatment. -- G. Need for a Canadian Institute for Public Safety Officer Health Research, an Expert Working Group and an Advisory Council that will Collect Data, Research, Foster collaboration and Disseminate Information Across the Country. -- 1. Creation of the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Officer Health Research. -- i. Mission and Mandate. -- 2. Creation of an Expert Working Group. -- i. Key Activities of the Expert Working Group. -- H. Need for the Study of Presumptive Legislation for Federal Employees. -- CONCLUSION.