Alberta providing grants to support first responder mental health

The provincial government has announced grants that would help support the mental health of first responders, including those working in emergency healthcare, and experiencing post-traumatic stress injuries.

Non-profit service providers and researchers based in Canada can now apply for funding through the Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders program. Up to $1.5 million dollars is available for funding for the 2022 to 2023 program, according to a Government of Alberta release.

“First responders and emergency healthcare workers are at greater risk for work-related mental health issues, which is why Alberta’s government is committed to providing extra support,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Labour and Immigration.

“These heroes put their mental and physical health on the line every day to keep Albertans safe and it’s vital to have their backs,” said Madu.

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The grants would help access services such as peer support and resilience training for first responders, including volunteer firefighters, police officers, sheriffs, corrections officers, paramedics, and emergency health care workers.

According to the Alberta government, frontline workers often deal with stressful, dangerous, and traumatic situations and the grant would help to alleviate some of the added burden.

The deadline to apply for 2022-2023 grants is June 13.