1. Program schedule

The role of peer support in prevention, recovery and return to work

Session details

Date:

Time:

12:00pm - 1:30pm (Toronto time)

Location:

Zoom videoconferencing

Didactic presentation by:

Beth Milliard

Session objectives

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the difference between formal and informal peer support for public safety personnel (PSP)
  2. Describe the goals of peer support for PSP
  3. Identify the desired characteristics and role of a peer supporter for PSP 

Session resources

Badge of Life Canada
Badge of Life Canada supports Canadian public safety personnel by offering a safe, confidential place where members in crisis can turn for immediate information that can provide hope, growth and recovery to those members who are suffering an operational stress injury, including post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and addictions; with access to counselling, including suicide prevention counselling, information and group support programs. Source: Badge of Life
Visit the website
Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT)
As part of the National Research Consortium, CIPSRT serves as the Knowledge Exchange Hub for knowledge synthesis, translation, and exchange that relies upon the best contemporary research evidence supporting an overall mission to help current and former public safety personnel, their leaders, and their families to maintain and improve their mental health and well-being. Source: CIPSRT
Visit the website
Didactic presentation: The Role of Peer Support in Prevention, Recovery and Return to Work
In this presentation, Staff Sergeant Beth Milliard, PhD, discusses the difference between formal and informal peer support for PSP, the goals of peer support for PSP, and the desired characteristics of a peer supporter for PSP
Download the PDF(230.51 KB)
Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support
The document is comprised of two sets of guidelines. The two sets of Guidelines are intended to provide direction to policy makers, decision makers, program leaders and the Canadian public about the practice of peer support. The two sets of Guidelines offer elements for the practice of peer support and an outline of the underlying values, principles of practice, skills and abilities of supporters. Source: Mental Health Commission of Canada
Visit the website
Ombudsman Report: In the Line of Duty
Investigation into how the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services have addressed operational stress injuries affecting police officers. Source: Ombudsman Ontario
Download the PDF
Utilization and Impact of Peer-Support Programs on Police Officers’ Mental Health
Milliard B. (2020). Utilization and Impact of Peer-Support Programs on Police Officers’ Mental Health. Front. Psychol. 11:1686. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01686
Download the article from the journal website
Wounded Warriors Canada
Wounded Warriors Canada is a nationally-recognized organization and mental health service provider dedicated to serving ill and injured Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExPs) and their families in both official languages. Source: Wounded Warriors Canada
Visit the website

About presenter

Dr. Beth Milliard is a police officer in her 21st year and is currently serving as a Uniform Staff Sergeant overseeing a platoon. Before returning to uniform duties, she was assigned by her Chief to develop a unit dedicated to the mental wellness of all members and their family.  She also worked as a post-doctoral fellow with the University of Regina in the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) conducting research in peer support and mental health support for PSP.

Milliard is also an adjunct professor with Georgian College in the Police Studies degree program and previous instructor and creator of the Peer Support Code of Ethics for Public Safety Personnel (PSP) course at Simon Fraser University. Currently she is volunteering with the Mental Health Secretariat (MHS) as the Chair of the Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAT), co-lead for the Peer Support task team and member of the Joint Knowledge Sub-Committee and is the co-chair for the National Peer Support Community Network (PSCN) with Atlas Institute for Veteran’s and Family.

As a subject matter expert and consultant in PSP assessments, safeguard, and peer support, she has had the opportunity to speak at venues internationally, and has been asked to participate in various podcasts on her work as a leader in police wellness. She has been the author and peer reviewer of many articles and book chapters related to PSP mental health and wellness. She is a board member for Canada Beyond the Blue and Resilient Kids Canada. Her PhD is in Criminal Justice/Law and Public Policy with an emphasis in mental health.

Case presentations

Most of the learning in ECHO happens through presenting and discussing case presentations. If you have a case you would like to present, please submit a completed case presentation form to the ECHO PSP project coordinator.

Physicians presenting a case may bill OHIP for case conferences (billing code K701).