More federal money to be used on post-traumatic stress

The federal government has earmarked more money to aid in the battle against post-traumatic stress injuries.

Regina MP and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale announced a total of $30 million to be used in conjunction with the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment at the University of Regina.

The money will be directed towards public safety personnel including first responders.

“It’s important to make sure that we are keeping safe the people that we rely on to keep everybody else safe,” said Goodale.

Starting in 2018-19, a total of $20 million over five years will go towards research while $10 million will be used on treatment as an internet pilot program is developed. That pilot will help address barriers to accessing mental health supports for public safety personnel in rural and remote areas.

“I think this was a glaring deficiency in terms of the program funding of a whole level of governments,” he said. “We are filling gaps that have existed for far too long.”

Goodale said these injuries more frequently impacted women.

In addition to the $30 million, the minister said another $21 million will be broadly available to the RCMP for mental health support systems throughout the force.

Friday’s funding announcement was over and above funding that was previously announced by Goodale on behalf of the federal government in December at RCMP Depot.

That funding of nearly $9 million will also be focused on research led out the U of R.