May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada.
This month provides an opportunity for all Canadians to learn more about mental health, mental illness, and how these issues affect people in different ways—including first responders.
At the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg, we are committed to reducing stigma, improving access to care, and supporting the mental health of our members and frontline workers across Manitoba.
As part of this commitment, UFFW has:
• Partnered with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to launch a peer recognition program and public awareness campaign to highlight the importance of mental wellness among first responders.
• Worked with the Manitoba Government and MGEU Local 911 to help pass Bill 29 – The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act, focused on psychological health and safety in the workplace.
• Served as title sponsor of the Heinbigner Memorial Golf Tournament, raising funds and awareness for preventative mental health initiatives and reducing barriers to access.
• Partnered with the University of Manitoba’s Department of Clinical Psychology and the Occupational Stress Injury Clinic as co-authors of a major research project examining the mental health of Winnipeg firefighters and paramedics. This study also aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public safety personnel’s mental health, and to identify potential protective factors—such as social support, occupational preparedness, and adaptive coping—that may help reduce the risk of mental disorders in our profession.
Mental health is just as vital as physical health—and UFFW will continue to lead the way in breaking the silence, supporting our members, and building a healthier fire service for the future.
