‘We can’t help people if we can’t help ourselves’

First responders from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation gathered earlier this week to learn of a new partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada.

Article content

“We are excited to be able to take these steps forward with all of our leadership in the house from all three services, partnered with Wounded Warriors Canada, that will be able to support us all and assist with a centralized location of mental health supports, ” said Michael Seth, acting fire chief of Six Nations Fire and Emergency Services. “I think this is key for our community especially given the nature of the historical generational trauma we all respond to or have come from.”

Derek Wharrie, chief of Six Nations Paramedic Services, said his agency is dedicated to breaking stigma and providing mental health support through awareness, training, and normalizing and talking about mental health.

He noted that a peer support team was recently formed that will undergo initial training this fall, followed by further awareness training for all staff.

Article content

“First responder inter-agency mental health collaboration is vital for ensuring the wellbeing of our individuals who serve and protect our community,” he said. “By creating support systems and networks amongst our agencies, the mental health needs of our first responders can be addressed more effectively leading to improved outcomes for both the responders themselves and our community.”

Wharrie encouraged first responders to prioritize their mental health and well-being without fear of judgment.

“We must take care of ourselves first — which we all know we don’t do — to be able to be present with our family and friends, to do our best helping our community on the front line. Together we can break the stigma and lean on a shoulder in our times of need.”

Article content

Six Nations Police Chief Darren Montour told the group that, having seen a lot of tragedy in the community, the most important thing is to stick together and look out for each other.

“This is a difficult job that we do and it’s more difficult because of where we work,” said the police chief. “Those from the community know that and we see things that are not nice on a daily basis. Some of those times that we’re out there it’s friends and family that we are dealing with, so that wears on us even more.”

Wounded Warriors Canada CEO Scott Maxell said his organization is a national mental health service provider working with trauma-exposed professionals and organizations, military veterans, public safety personnel and their families.

Article content

WWC was launched in 2013 to provide psychological support for what military personnel had seen and done while serving in Afghanistan.

“We started to hear from first responders everywhere in Canada,” Maxwell explained. “Trauma is not something that’s unique to the Canadian Forces or any conflict. It’s unique to trauma-exposed professionals. We added first responders to our mandate in 2016.”

WWC provides training and early intervention preventative programs, along with culturally competent and occupationally aware clinical services uniquely developed for its clients.

“We added programs that are leading the country in the prevention and early interventional space because first responders said we need this here in this environment, not so far downstream when we’re on WSIB or have no intention of going back to work,” he told those in attendance.

Article content

WWC has made direct partnerships with more than 160 agencies since 2018, but this is the first partnership with First Nations first responders in Ontario.

“We’re a small community and we go through a lot of traumas together,” said Laura Campbell, a Six Nations paramedic. “Having the ability to use their supports is a big deal.”

Campbell said some of her colleagues may not need services such as counseling right now, but will in the future.

“It’s inevitable. We all go through a traumatic experience.”

She added that their peer support team will allow paramedics to have longer careers and keep personnel on the front lines doing such an important job.

“We can’t help people if we can’t help ourselves.”

[email protected]

Article content