North Bay Police Joins with Toronto Police Service for MVWP Program

North Bay Police Joins with Toronto Police Service for MVWP Program

The North Bay Police Service is pleased to join the Toronto Police Service and other community partners across the country, in implementing the Military Veteran Assistance Referral Form, as part of the Military Veterans Wellness Program.

 The Toronto Police Service Military Veterans Wellness Program (MVWP) began development in 2019 by veterans for veterans.  The program aims to achieve prosperity for all Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and increased public safety for communities across Canada. It was developed with a team of industry leaders in the field of wellness, mental health, incident response, de-escalation and veteran support.

 The MVWP was developed in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Toronto Police Military Veterans Association (TPMVA), Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and the Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) program – administered by the Canadian Armed Forces.

 Military veterans often experience unique barriers related to their experiences in the military including physical and mental health issues, challenges integrating into civilian life, and difficulty asking for and receiving supports.  At times these challenges can result in a lack of employment, difficulties with relationships, addictions, and even homelessness and suicidal ideations.  There are approximately 3000 – 5000 unhoused Veterans across Canada, and Veterans die by suicide at approximately twice the rate of the general public.

 

The MVWP was established to equip frontline officers with raised awareness and training to enhance the recognition and understanding of military Veterans’ issues, build rapport, and provide a formal mechanism to connect military Veterans with essential social services delivered through the RCL, VAC, and OSISS. After a police referral, these national services will make contact with the Veteran within 72 hours and may provide a case worker, advocate, and/or peer to offer help and assist them in receiving the many benefits and resources provided by these organizations. Every military Veteran deserves honour and respect for their service to Canada, and the NBPS is a proud supporter of the MVWP as it stands in solidarity with our military Veterans. This commitment is reinforced through the program’s motto, because “Nobody Fights Alone”.

 

Officers are now able to access the referral form on their mobile devices, in car terminals or their desktop computers.  “Our officers deal with people in crisis on a daily basis.  When those individuals are identified as military veterans, our officers now have a fast effective way to connect the veteran to the support systems that are in place” said Inspector Jeff Warner “This is one small step that our service can take to help ensure that those who have given so much to our country are given the help they need and the support they deserve”

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