$2.7 million will help thousands of police officers across the province
Ontario is putting artificial intelligence (AI) to use to help police officers stay mentally healthy.
The province is investing $2.7 million to train roughly 160 Peer Support Workers who, in turn, will provide services to thousands of police officers in the province, including over 2,000 officers in Peel Region.
“The brave men and women in our police services put their lives on the line to keep Ontario communities safe and our government is proud to support them,” said Premier Doug Ford. “This investment through our Skills Development Fund will provide critical mental health support for our men and women in uniform to help them face the significant challenges and occupational stress that come with the job.”
Nearly seven in 10 employees say that their mental health stayed the same or worsened in the past year, according to a previous report. And there was a 140% increase year-on-year in the number of employers struggling to manage poor mental health across their workforce, according to another report.
AI in mental health
Ontario’s latest investment – through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream – will be used to support a project led by Get A-Head Inc. The project will introduce a new digital platform to help police peer support workers provide mental health care to police services colleagues and their families.
Using technology like artificial intelligence, this new platform will “make it easier for peer support workers to identify colleagues in distress and deliver care better tailored to their needs, while automating routine organizational tasks to allow them to spend more time supporting their colleagues,” according to the Ontario government.
The project will also provide current and future peer support workers with “standardized skills training that will prepare them to provide an enhanced quality of care,” the provincial government added.
Investment in mental health appreciated
A couple of stakeholders have expressed their appreciation for the latest Ontario investment.
“We are pleased to participate in initiatives that support our members’ mental health and well-being and to contribute to the work that Keel Digital Solution Mind and Get A-Head are doing. The investment through the Skills Development Fund will support their ability to develop an accessible platform for police services to better support their members,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police.
The investment is an important step, said Nando Iannicca, chair, Peel Region.
“This initiative will enhance the mental well-being of those who serve and protect our community. By leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms, this project ensures personalized and efficient mental health care, significantly benefiting thousands of police officers and civilian employees as well as their families."
Investment in skills development training
The investment brings Ontario’s total investment in skills development training through the SDF Training Stream – which is supported through labour market transfer agreements between the federal and Ontario governments – to nearly $1.1 billion. The investment is used to support training and upskilling programs for workers and connect jobseekers with employers to land well-paying careers close to home.
Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s SDF Training Stream has helped almost 600,000 workers train for in-demand sectors. And more than 420,000 of these participants are from an underrepresented group such as women, youth, persons with disabilities and Indigenous peoples.
In July 2023, British Columbia expanded Mobile Integrated Crisis Response (MICR) Teams (also known as Car programs) to different parts of the province thanks to $3 million the government committed to help fund the program’s implementation throughout the province. The teams showcase the combined expertise of police personnel and mental health workers.
