It goes without saying that being a police officer is difficult.
The Belleville Police Service and the Belleville Police Association have embarked on a new partnership called Life Support Mental Health.
Chief Mike Callaghan says the service firmly believes in the importance of supporting members holistically and providing the tools necessary for their mental wellness.
He says Life Support Mental Health allows officers to be proactive, while ensuring the mental health of members.
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The Belleville Police Service, in collaboration with the Belleville Police Association, has embarked on a new partnership with Life Support Mental Health Inc., a leading technology company specializing in the development of tools to assess and triage mental wellness, to introduce the Mental Health Check program.
“The Belleville Police Service firmly believes in the importance of supporting our members holistically,” explained Belleville Police Chief Mike Callaghan, following the announcement.
“Mental health is a crucial aspect of their overall well-being, and we are dedicated to providing them with the resources and tools necessary for their mental wellness. This collaboration with Life Support Mental Health Inc. allows us to be proactive in ensuring the mental health of our team, ultimately enhancing our ability to serve and protect our community.”
First responders are often exposed to high-stress situations, and mental health concerns can have a significant impact on their overall well-being and operational effectiveness, Callaghan added.
Belleville Police Association President Adam Donaldson said the program will be a valued addition to support services offered to all employees of the service.
“Having this program allows the opportunity to prevent a treatable psychological issue to becoming a debilitating illness. And not only is this available to our members, but their families which sometimes goes unnoticed.”
“I look forward to this partnership and the benefits that come with it.”
The first responder community faces unique challenges when it comes to mental health and well-being. Recognizing this, the Life Support has developed an assessment tool tailored specifically for law enforcement organizations. The MHC incorporates a number of psychological tools to screen for a range of common mental health challenges,
