Essex Windsor EMS is getting a boost from the Bell Let's Talk Community Fund.
The $20,000 will be used in support of paramedic and first-responder mental wellness, by helping to enhance the Essex-Windsor EMS Paramedic Peer Support Program. The grant allows for greater enhancements to this front-line and peer-directed program, that encourages helping one another through challenging situations and traumatic patient calls.
Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter says it's about paramedics helping each other.
"Peer support is basically run by front-line paramedics who basically volunteer their time we have gotten them trained, trained by a psychologist," says Krauter.
Peer Support Program volunteers have all undergone rigorous training in order to further develop their skills to assist and guide colleagues through a variety of difficult scenarios.
Bell Let's Talk is January 25. The Peer Support program began back in 2014.
With files from AM800's Teresinha Medeiros