End stigma of mental illness in OPP

The death by suicide of three Ontario Provincial Police officers in the past month underscores the necessity to do more, whatever form that may take.

The OPP has an Employee and Family Assistance Program, but is it the most effective program for officers with suicidal thoughts?

I believe the OPP should consider utilizing a resource within the organization — that is, members (either active or retired), who struggled with such thoughts but managed to survive. I am a retired member of the OPP who was also the addiction counsellor for the organization. I know there are members who managed to survive. These members would be effective as a unit, essentially dedicated to assisting members contemplating suicide.

This will create a paradigm shift and a safety net for troubled officers, who will be able to consult with a fellow officer who has experienced that struggle: someone else has been there!

OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes recently said, “The OPP is more than a police service, we are a family.” So, who better to assist a troubled officer than a member of the family?

The stigma of mental illness is one of the major issues that prevent officers from seeking assis- tance. However, that barrier may be lessened if support is available from fellow officers.

If this proposal is adopted, it’ll be successful if just one officer is saved. Barry Ruhl, Sgt. [Ret] Ontario Provincial Police, Southampton, Ont.