Reach out
There are several organizations dedicated to supporting first responders and their families with mental health issues. Find out what resources are available to you.
The use of this website does not constitute the provision of medical advice. If you require medical or psychological assistance, kindly seek the assistance of a medical professional, visit the closest hospital emergency department or call 911.
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If you wish to provide Saskatchewan First Responders Mental Health with additional resources for our website, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page.
Crisis numbers
If you or someone you know is in crisis, these organizations can assist you.
Regina Mobile Crisis Services
The overall purpose of the agency is to provide integrated and comprehensive social and health crisis intervention services. Services are provided on a 24-hour, seven days a week basis, in order to assure accessibility regardless of the time of day.
Mobile Crisis helpline 306.757.0127
24/7 help lines
Crisis suicide helpline
306.525.5333
Child abuse line
306.569.2724
Saskatchewan problem gambling helpline
1.800.306.6789
Farm stress line
1.800.667.4442
Email:
info@mcsregina.ca
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Centre
Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (SCIS) intervenes and manages social, emotional and psychological emergencies for people experiencing acute and ongoing crises 24 hours each day, 365 days of the year.
Central Saskatchewan West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre
Mon – Fri: 9 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm
After hours:
306.933.6200
North Saskatchewan Piwapan Women’s Centre
Crisis line – 24/7 hours
Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit
Mon – Fri: 4 pm – 8 am
Sat – Sun: 24 hours
Southwest Saskatchewan Southwest Crisis Services
24/7 hours
Province-wide Professional Health Advice and Mental Health Support
HealthLine 811 is a confidential, 24-hour health and mental health and addiction advice, education and support telephone line available to the people of Saskatchewan. It is staffed by experienced and specially-trained registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and registered social workers.
HealthLine 811 is free. Services are offered in English, with translation available in over 100 languages.
If you are having technical issues with accessing HealthLine 811 by dialing 811, you can call 1.877.800.0002 to be connected with HealthLine 811.
Deaf and hard of hearing residents can access HealthLine 811 by using the SaskTel relay operator service at 1.800.855.1155.
Crisis Services Canada Suicide Prevention and Support
24/7 hours
First responder support groups
As a first responder, there are additional support organizations and programs available to you.
OSI-CAN
OSI-CAN is an operational stress injury (OSI)/post-traumatic stress disorder support initiative that supports both career and volunteer first responder and public safety personnel. OSI-CAN has an ever-expanding network of service providers to link members with other services necessary for their recovery, such as housing, counseling, vocational training, psycho-social rehabilitation, advice on prescriptions, horse-assisted therapy and financial assistance for those needing a service dog and a phone-In support group.
Website:
www.osicansk.ca
Additional resources:
OSI-CAN peer support groups and the operational stress injury/PTSD support initiative
Honour House Society
Honour House Society is a refuge, a home away from home, for Canadian Forces personnel, emergency services personnel and their families to stay, completely free of charge, while they are receiving medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver area.
Website:
www.honourhouse.ca
First Responder Support Network
The mission of the First Responder Support Network (FRSN) is to provide educational treatment programs to promote recovery from stress and critical incidents experienced by first responders and their families.
Website:
www.frsn.org
First Responder Support Network - The Significant Other And Spouses (SOS) Program
The SOS residential program is for emergency responder partners and spouses who have been affected by their loved one’s critical incidents (resulting in secondary or vicarious trauma), but may also be experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety and need a program to address their needs.
First responder organizations
If you are a first responder or a family member, contact one of the appropriate organizations below. These first responder organizations are there to provide mental health support, and information on resources available to you, such as peer support. Please note that the contact numbers listed are not available at all times. If in crisis or in need of immediate assistance, please call 911 or one of the crisis numbers listed above.
Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers
Members:
Regina Police Association
Saskatoon Police Association
Weyburn Police Association
Prince Albert Police Association
Moose Jaw Police Association
Estevan Police Association
Regina Senior Officers Association
Saskatoon Senior Officers Association
Regina Police Association
The Regina Police Association is a labour organization representing both police officers and civilian members of the Regina Police Service.
Their primary functions are:
- Promoting the interests of their members through collective bargaining.
- Representing members on dispute and disciplinary issues.
- Lobbying to promote policing and public safety issues at municipal, provincial and federal levels.
- Working with the Regina Police Service in achieving strategic planning goals, development of policies and procedures, and promoting a safe community for the citizens of Regina.
E-mail:
rpaoffice@reginapa.ca
Canadian Police Association
The Canadian Police Association (CPA) is the national voice for 60,000 police personnel across Canada. Membership includes police personnel serving in 160 police services across Canada, from Canada’s smallest towns and villages as well as those working in our largest municipal and provincial police services, and members of the RCMP, railway police, and First Nations’ police personnel.
Saskatoon Police Association
The Saskatoon Police Association is proud to be the official voice and representative body for Saskatoon’s front-line police personnel. Along with providing resources and support for our over 500 police members, we represent our membership in all matters concerning discipline and contracts.
In matters of discipline, the Saskatoon Police Association’s primary responsibility is to ensure that officers are treated fairly and that they have the same access and rights to due process as any other person in Canada.
Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters Association
The Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters Association represents 700 professional fire fighters in the cities of Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, North Battleford and Weyburn.
E-mail:
talk2us@spffa.com
Saskatoon Firefighters Local Union IAFF 80
E-mail:
iaff80.info@gmail.com
Regina Firefighters Local Union IAFF 181
Prince Albert Local Union IAFF 510
Moose Jaw Local Union IAFF 553
Swift Current Local Union IAFF 1318
Yorkton Local Union IAFF 1527
North Battleford Local Union IAFF 1756
Weyburn Local Union IAFF 2989
Saskatoon Paramedic Association, IAFF Local 3270
Local 3270 represents paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, mechanics and ambulance technicians. Their members are proud to serve Saskatoon and the surrounding area with unlimited EMS access. Their goal is to provide a strong voice for their members in discussions with M.D. Ambulance Care Ltd., the Health Region, the City, the Province of Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada and fellow emergency services colleagues.
Saskatchewan Volunteer Fire Fighters Association
Their mission is to provide a responsible voice and leadership to the volunteer fire fighters of Saskatchewan, with the intent being to minimize loss of life and property in all aspects of volunteer emergency response.
Please contact the executive director:
Courtney Edwards
Saskatchewan Coroners Service
Staff and coroners employed by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service under the Government of Saskatchewan can access services under their employee family assistance program (EFAP).
Fee-for-service community coroners can contact the Saskatchewan Coroners Service at (306)787-5541 or coroner@gov.sk.ca for more information and resources including assistance through Morneau Shepell.
Both full-time coroners and community coroners can access free online self-screening at the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT).
Email:
coroner@gov.sk.ca
Organizations that support mental health
These organizations can support you and your workplace to better support the mental health of the workplace.
Mental Health Commission of Canada
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) leads the development and dissemination of innovative programs and tools to support the mental health and wellness of Canadians. Through its unique mandate from the Government of Canada, the MHCC supports federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as organizations in the implementation of sound public policy.
Website:
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Canadian Mental Health Association
As a nation-wide, voluntary organization, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) promotes the mental health of all and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness. The CMHA accomplishes this mission through advocacy, education, research and service.
Website:
www.cmha.ca
To find your local Saskatchewan branch go to:
www.sk.cmha.ca/about-cmha/cmha-saskatchewan-division-branch-offices/
First Responders First
This website offers resources and services for the first responder community to understand the various steps of a PTSD program, from managing a crisis through to implementing best practices into an existing program.
Website:
www.firstrespondersfirst.ca
AUDEAMUS service dog program
AUDEAMUS provides certified, specially-trained service dogs and on-going support to people suffering from mental or physical disabilities. It has developed an evidence-based, holistic and measurable mental health program focused on the therapeutic effects of service dogs on veteran, first responder and war correspondent health.
At present, there are few guidelines, standards and oversights to the service dog field in Canada. AUDEAMUS has positioned itself to lead by example with a comprehensive program informed by an experienced, interdisciplinary and community-based team that draws upon the latest research evidence. It also contributes to research on the effectiveness of highly-trained service dogs.
Service dogs and training are provided free of charge by AUDEAMUS. Participants are set up in safe and comfortable accommodations and provided with prepared meals while training. Participants can meet up to several times in person in a year-long certification process as a service dog team.
E-mail:
contact@audeamus.ca
Website:
www.audeamus.ca
Additional resources
Operational stress injuries
Sleep disorders
First responder psychology
Ride don’t hide: fund raiser by CMHC
Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
Veteran’s Affairs
North American Firefighter Veteran Network
