GUELPH – Wellington County will partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo-Wellington (CMHA) to lead the work of promoting life and preventing suicide in the county, under the “Here4Hope” strategy.
Council passed a resolution on June 27 to pursue the strategy, developed in partnership with the CMHA and the Wellington County OPP.
The resolution goes hand in hand with a recent Community Safety and Policing Grant application submitted by OPP Inspector Scott Lawson, on behalf of the police services board, to the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Wellington County OPP has applied for a three-year grant of $180,000 per year to implement the Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team (IMPACT) – Suicide Prevention/Postvention Support Program.
The county’s investment in the partnership with CMHA is $295,000 over three years.
“This partnership between the County of Wellington, OPP and [CMHA] is the first of its kind,” said Warden Kelly Linton.
“People are our greatest priority. It has become increasingly clear that mental health is fundamentally interconnected with physical and social well-being and health outcomes. This strategy and Community Safety and Policing Grant will also be closely intertwined with a community wellness program [CMHA] will be leading.”
The proposed partnership would enable CMHA to employ Cecilia Marie Roberts, in partnership with the County of Wellington, for three years to continue to lead and support the work of promoting life and preventing suicide in the county.
“I’m really excited about the county moving ahead with all the exciting projects you’ve heard of,” said Linton after the partnership was announced following an in-camera session on June 27.
CAO Scott Wilson said, “This strategy will not only equip our staff with the tools, support and resources to help themselves and their loved ones, but over 850 county employees will be able to assist others who may be struggling in the community.
“Many people in our community have been either directly or indirectly affected by suicide. There is a great need for support in this area. Over the years, the county has implemented a number of programs dedicated to wellness. Building on that work, the county will continue to set short- and long-term objectives dedicated specifically to mental health.”
The development of the “Here4Hope” Wellington Framework for Promoting Life and Preventing Suicide was developed by Roberts, who is the suicide prevention lead at CMHA.
It provides a road map for implementing a community-wide approach to suicide prevention and awareness. It includes mental health training, support and resources for OPP and Wellington County employees, and the community.
“The rate of suicide in Wellington County is 2.5 times higher than the provincial average,” commented CMHA executive director Helen Fishburn.
“Promoting life and preventing suicide requires a whole community approach and this partnership recognizes that this important work requires expertise, leadership and coordination.
“We are proud and privileged to be doing this important work with the [county and the OPP].”
