The union representing front-line Mounties is urging the to move beyond SA国际影视传媒減atchwork solutionsSA国际影视传媒� to ensure the mental health of officers amid concerns they face increasing risks to their well-being.

In a new report, the National Police Federation calls on the to fully implement its employee well-being strategy, institute regular psychological health screening and make it simpler to access mental-health supports.

The federation is releasing the report, Behind the Badge, at a breakfast meeting in Ottawa today.

The report says members are confronted daily with a myriad of stressors, risks and emotionally taxing situations that invariably take a toll on their psychological well-being.

It highlights the fact the very nature of their profession exposes them to violence, trauma, high-pressure situations and a relentless demand for vigilance.

The report says this is compounded by everyday sources of stress such as negative comments from the public, fatigue, staff shortages, lack of resources and bureaucratic red tape.

In addition, officers face stigma related to psychological health issues and a lack of comprehensive and accessible mental-health services and supports, the report adds.

Over time, these factors have been shown to accumulate and lead to an array of mental-health challenges SA国际影视传媒� from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression to anxiety and a heightened risk of suicidal behaviour, it says.

SA国际影视传媒淭he urgent need for increased government investment in mental-health guidance, training, and treatment programs for police officers, especially within the , is paramount.SA国际影视传媒�

The report includes the results of a survey by the federation and the University of Regina of a representative sample of members from June 2022 to February 2023.

It found members were six times as likely as the general population to screen positive for any mental-health disorder. Such figures are considered indicators, not actual diagnoses that require clinical interviews with supporting information.

Members were also far more likely than the general population to have contemplated or planned a suicide in the last year.

The report says the SA国际影视传媒檚 employee well-being strategy for 2021 to 2024 put forward SA国际影视传媒渟everal promising initiatives.SA国际影视传媒�

However, the national police force must do more by providing SA国际影视传媒渁 step-by-step approachSA国际影视传媒� to address the current reality members face, the report adds.

SA国际影视传媒淭his plan ought to be transparent and the should update on its progress regularly.SA国际影视传媒�

As the recent well-being strategy is nearing its end, the federal auditor general should perform and publish an audit of the strategy, the report says.

It also calls for the to immediately fully staff all occupational health services offices, saying personnel shortages or limited availability of services leave many members SA国际影视传媒渨aiting far too long before receiving the help they need.SA国际影视传媒�

Among the other recommendations:

SA国际影视传媒� immediately address SA国际影视传媒渇inancial and logistical barriersSA国际影视传媒� to fully implementing the SA国际影视传媒檚 periodic psychological health screening program, to help identify post-traumatic stress injuries early on;

SA国际影视传媒� once the program is fully in place and all members have received a screening, require them to have one annually;

SA国际影视传媒� and implement mandatory wellness psychological training for officers.

The report acknowledges the has made significant strides in offering and supporting programs aimed at restorative mental-health support and treatment, as well as offering a variety of benefits with regard to occupational injuries and supplementary mental-health benefits.

However, the various mental-health supports and programs for members can be difficult to navigate, leaving members overwhelmed and unsupported, the report found.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat is evident is that bureaucratic processes, stigmatization, and distrust of the as a health-care provider has resulted in an inefficient mental health support system and low access.SA国际影视传媒�

Investing in comprehensive mental-health initiatives can create a safer, healthier and more resilient police workforce, ensuring members SA国际影视传媒渞eceive the care and guidance they rightfully deserve,SA国际影视传媒� the report says.

SA国际影视传媒淚n doing so, we contribute to the overall well-being of officers and the effectiveness of policing, which ultimately benefits society.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒擝y Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press