OPP union launching its own suicide prevention program

The union representing OPP employees says it can't wait for the force to complete aninternal review of suicidesamong its members, so it's launching its own mental health support program.

The Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) made the announcement Friday, one day after news that yet another OPP officer had taken his own life.

It wasthe 13th reported suicide of an active or retired member of the provincial forcesince 2012.

"We can be leaders and support our people. We feel this program will provide members incredible support, support that they need," OPPA president RobJamieson said.

Last week, interim OPP commissioner Gary Couture sent a memo to all members informing them of the death of a constable by suicide.

The OPPrecently created a wellness unit, expanded their peer support program and compiled list of qualified psychologists in communities in whichit operates.

But the union says its members need more. Its new program, which will be formally announced in the coming weeks, will provide assistanceabove and beyond whatever changes theOPPintroduces when its review wraps up this spring.

"TheOPPis doing those things and doing their reviews, but what we're doing from an association perspective is saying, 'Listen, our people need help right now,'" Jamieson said.

Recommendations haven't been implemented

The review announced by former OPPcommissioner Vince Hawkes in August 2018 followed a 2012 ombudsman's review of OPP suicidesthat made a series of recommendations.

According to adocumentaryby CBC'sThe Fifth Estate, however, many of those recommendations haven't been implemented.

One thingmade clear when the review was announced is that the current support system is too complicated for some officers to navigate.

"If they're in trouble they don't want to get on a phone line and be put off to somebody else," Hawkessaid at the time. "There's a high sense of frustration, and that adds to the stress."

OPP launching internal review of officer suicides after recent deaths

6 years ago

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OPP commissioner Vince Hawkes says many officers still choose not to talk about their struggles out of fear they may lose their gun.

OPPAsays it wasn'tconsulted

The OPPA said it was never contacted for input on theinternal review. The OPP could not confirm whether that would happen before the expected completion date.

In a statement,OPP Staff Sgt. CarolleDionnesaid the force was "optimistic that the internal review will shed further light on how the OPP can best support our people."

A separate coroner's investigation into police deaths in the provinceannounced in January will involve the OPPA.

"We will be providing our perspective and bringing together our legal officers, ourbenefits team, our executive officers and their perspectives folks that have worked specifically on the association side, who have unique insights that need to be shared,"Jamieson said.

Need help? Here are some mental health resources:

• Association qubcoise de prvention du suicide: 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553)
• Ottawa Suicide Prevention: 613-238-3311