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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 21, 2016 | 12 Local support for a national PTSD strategy by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff First responders struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related conditions received some positive news last week (Oct. 13) from Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff. Before a group of Halton police and Oakville and Burlington firefighters at Neyagawa Boulevard's Fire Station 9, Damoff announced she has tabled a Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security report, which calls for the creation of a national strategy to deal with operational stress injuries in first responders. "As a government we need to provide energy, imagination and resources to ensure our public safety officers are healthy and our communities are safe," said Damoff. "Public safety officers, including first responders, and those who work alongside them are 10-35 per cent more likely to develop PTSD. They are more likely to suffer from depression and substance abuse and sadly, they are far more likely to die by suicide." Damoff said the Standing Committee for Public Safety and National Security, of which she is a part, recently studied the impact PTSD and operational stress injuries have on first responders. The committee heard from 33 witnesses with Liberal, Conservative and NDP members all contributing to the report. Besides the national strategy on PTSD and operational stress injuries, the report recommends creation of a Canadian Institute for Public Safety Officer Health Research, an advisory council and an expert working group to develop policies and share research on prevention, screening, education, intervention and treatment. The Canadian Institute for Public Safety Officer Health Research would collect data, formulate a research strategy and acknowledge the unique challenges public safety officers and first responders face in their daily work. "The traumatic events witnessed on a daily basis by all first responders can have a very real, lasting and sometimes devastating effect on their lives and consequently the lives of their family and friends," said Oakville Deputy Fire Chief Andy Glynn. see Police on p.13 OAKVILLE Buying? Selling? Re-financing? Call us for a quote at Jameson Glas D. Kevin Haxell ® with the optimum in vehicle rust control and much more! Complete Cars from $ 905-845-0767 ext. 222/223 now Hiring your t c e t Pro vestment! In call 25 Years in Oakville 119.95 GOLD Personal Professional Service at Competitive Rates Turned down 1490 Unit # 5 SpeerS road, oakville MORTGAGES We have a pool of private money available at great rates. Instant Approval, Fast, Reliable Service by your bank? Serving you for over 30 years. www.tmdc.ca Licence # 10585 Call: Jim Panasiuk · 9053382222 Mortgage Broker, M08000232 REAL ESTATE Providing professional real estate services from start to finish. Whether you're a First time buyer, Interested in Upsizing or Downsizing, Relocating, New to the Area, or simply looking for a second opinion, we are here for you. Since 1988 STAGinG Julie is a Certified Staging Professional and Full staging is Always FREE Julie Panasiuk Sales Representative Sales Representative ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD., BROKERAGE FALL PROMOTION 15% off refinishing Fall & Winter start dates are still available! Jim Panasiuk antique hardwood flooring 290 Speers road, oakville Direct: (905) 484 4447 Bus: (905) 338 3737 Fax: (905) 338 7351 juliepanasiuk@royallepage.ca 251 North Service Road West Oakville, ON L6M 3E7 www.firstchoicehomes.ca Direct: (905) 467 4447 Bus: (905) 338 3737 Fax: (905) 338 7351 jim@tmdc.ca 905-825-8551 www.antiquehardwoodflooring.ca follow uS to See the lateSt trendS Wallace rd 1276 Cornwall Road, Unit C, Oakville Ontario, L6J 7W5 T: 905-845-0767 · F: 905-845-5552 · www.haxelllaw.com · lawyers@haxelllaw.com open Saturdays For coupons and specials visit... 905.827.7878 new cars, used cars, rusty cars... we do it all www.krown.com