Local first responders will be receiving a boost in mental health services.
Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services will be investing $20,000 into its Peer Support Program.
The money comes from a Bell Let's Talk grant and will be used to add new staff and training to the Peer Support team.
The team provides mental health assistance to paramedics any time of the day.
If paramedics require additional support, the team can also refer the workers to a specialist .
Head of Essex-Windsor EMS, Bruce Krauter, says it's important for first responders to have a support system.
"In a confidential manner a paramedic could call a peer support colleague and talk about any kind of issue that may be bothering them so that is an opportunity to them to seek help and speak out and talk about their issues so they can seek help and get help at the right time," says Krauter.
He says the Peer Support Program gains popularity each month.
"They're being connected regularly with peer support. I can give you a number of 30 a month where they will get phone calls of employees or paramedics trying to get assistance and they get that assistance and it helps," says Krauter.
He encourages paramedics who have not tried the Peer Support Program to give it a try.
He says the program is successful and has been around for over a year.