Occupational Health Services
Important
RCMP employees in crisis or having suicidal thoughts are urged to:
- call 911
- go to the nearest hospital emergency
- contact Employee Assistance Services (EAS) at 1-800-268-7708 (available 24/7)
- call a crisis hotline
The RCMP currently has 11 Occupational Health Services (OHS) offices across Canada available to our members to support their health, safety and fitness for duty. Each of these offices are represented by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals that administers the RCMP Occupational Health Programs.
The Occupational Health Team (OHT) includes Physicians - Health Services Officers (HSO), Health Services Nurses (HSN), Psychologists, and various administrative support persons.
Some of the program activities include fitness for duty assessments; case management of members' who are ill or injured through the Disability Management and Accommodation Program; supporting other RCMP health programs (for example, determining if an injury or illness is work-related in order to access specific health care benefits), and providing guidance to ensure a safe and healthy workforce.
Occupational Health Management and Accommodation Program
The Occupational Health Management and Accommodation Program is the national policy center that supports front line policing operations by establishing and overseeing health programs and policies.
Periodic Health Assessments
The RCMP uses the periodic health assessment (PHA) as a means to monitor fitness for duty and is a mandatory component of a member's job. Regular Members are required to have a PHA every three years, and high–risk positions receive a PHA at more frequent intervals. Civilian Members performing duties which may pose a health hazard are scheduled for an occupational health assessment at prescribed intervals.
Note
The PHA is an occupational health assessment and is not intended to replace general health screening, preventive measures and treatment provided by the member's primary health care practitioner.
Psychological Health Screening Program
The RCMP is taking a proactive approach to protecting the psychological well-being of our regular members.
Psychological health screenings (PHS) began in several divisions in February 2021. The PHS is mandatory for all active regular members who currently receive a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) and are not employed in a designated high risk assignment as defined in HSM III.1, Section O.
This approach helps to minimize any perceived stigma associated with consulting a psychologist as all members are expected to participate.
How it will help regular members
Police work can be stressful and requires continuous efforts to support a member's positive mental health. The psychological health screening is a prevention activity that uses screening questions and feedback to ensure the member has a good understanding of their mental health. This enables the psychologist and the member to detect and/or mitigate mental health issues at an early stage. It also provides the member the opportunity to seek out appropriate support, when needed.
It is important to note that, in addition to the PHS, members continue to have access to mental health treatment benefits through their supplemental and/or occupational health care coverage, as well as through their provincial/territorial government health care plan.
How it works
The PHS is confidential. The divisional Occupational Health Services office will schedule the member to meet with an RCMP psychologist who will review their occupational health file, administer brief psychological screening questionnaires, and conduct a psychological interview. The psychologist then provides the member with immediate feedback on their psychological health. Education and information on available mental health supports and services are also provided to the member.
After the screening, the divisional Health Services Officer (a physician employed by the RCMP) is advised of any necessary follow-up and/or referrals to ensure that the member is receiving the appropriate support.
The psychological health screening is not treatment or counselling. It is an occupational requirement put in place to protect our members' health and safety.
Since the program's inception, members have reported a high degree of satisfaction with the PHS and attitudes to seeking additional help are positive!
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