Operational Stress Injury is any persistent psychological difficulty resulting from operational duties such as law enforcement, combat or any other service related duties. Individuals experiencing high level of operational stress injury are at greater risk of suffering from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Through the Mental Health Works program, CMHA Ontario is bringing the conversation about mental health to the justice sector in Ontario.
Mental Health Works provides capacity building workshops on workplace mental health to both employers and employees. Established in 2001, the Mental Health Works approach is person centred, evidence-based, and solutions focused. Mental Health Works offers a suite of training workshops including the Core Workshop (full-day), In Focus (half-day), and Essentials (one hour).
Recognizing the high level of operational stress injury, and the growing need to promote mental health in the justice sector, CMHA Ontario has adapted the Mental Health Works program for employers and employees in the justice sector, including police officers, legal professionals (including crowns and defense counsel), as well as correctional and security officers.
In 2016, CMHA Ontario delivered in-person Mental Health Works training to Legal Aid Ontario, and produced educational webinars for both Legal Aid Ontario and the Ministry of Attorney General’s Court Services Division. We will continue to work with the justice sector in Ontario to deliver Mental Health Works training. For more information on operational stress injury, mental health and addictions workshops for the justice sector, contact Lawrence Blake, Project Coordinator at lblake@ontario.cmha.ca.
For more information about Mental Health Works, visit: www.mentalhealthworks.ca