The Toronto Police Service has affirmed that the mental health of its members and the public is a priority with the launch of an official Mental Health and Addictions Strategy on Monday.
In a news release, the Toronto Police Service said the strategy outlines eight key areas of commitment and accompanying action items to guide the service on how to best recognize and respond to those in crisis, thereby preserving the health and safety of both members of the service and the community who may experience mental health and addictions issues.
The eight areas of commitment detailed in the strategy include: preserving life; leadership; cultural competence, equity and anti-racism; stigma-free environment; continuous learning; advocacy and partnerships; evaluation; and transparency, accountability, oversight and reporting.
“Today the Toronto Police Service made a great commitment to supporting the residents of our city who live with mental health and addictions issues,” said acting chair of the Toronto Police Service Board and Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division’s director of public policy Uppala Chandrasekera. “This strategy, which was developed over the past few years in consultation with the Toronto Police Services Board and its former Mental Health Sub-Committee, consists of concrete action items for enhancing police services. Through this strategy, we are also making an ongoing commitment to the members of our service, both sworn and civilian, to enhancing and promoting mental health and wellness in the workplace. Congratulations to Chief Saunders and the Toronto Police Service on this important achievement.”
Read the Toronto Police Service’s Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.