{"id":873326,"date":"2025-09-16T01:12:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T06:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/in-pursuit-of-mental-wellness-in-the-first-responder-community-its-about-saving-lives\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T01:12:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T06:12:40","slug":"in-pursuit-of-mental-wellness-in-the-first-responder-community-its-about-saving-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/16\/in-pursuit-of-mental-wellness-in-the-first-responder-community-its-about-saving-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community: \u2018It\u2019s about saving lives\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<article aria-labelledby=\"articleTitle\" data-wcm-id=\"4c1528a4-3c88-40b1-b29a-e2cf64152c06\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>This book is a roadmap for the mental health journey that can serve as a guide for other first responder organizations to follow<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span>Published Sep 13, 2025<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>Last updated 2\u00a0days ago<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>4 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=mq3pW7k38I87LBukbdGILg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=WY5lPW9HmcoVpJ1GiT-Brw 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=gBAymEzUG-FSPpuAz3RgIQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=Cuq5rasqtGnbrZ76NuVMtA 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=rxHgukhag8E1jTT4rpMdlQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=PQyAR9UUGDScg8VQ5myKGA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=eRA4gbk5yyX7bDW8LXlp6g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=SqsxgFx9fFdPOBvZPh-w2A 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=tcWvxS2lx337WPGXCD0JaQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=MJGYb8jovhP8lU4hzdkPQA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img alt=\"In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=2OHA3FZHojaUvjc9NL4tWA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=2OHA3FZHojaUvjc9NL4tWA,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-2-e1757698959129.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=1E29B5WFPAjOFTFGANeLPw 2x\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"776\" width=\"1034\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.<\/span> <span>Photo by Amazon.ca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>\n<p><em>Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Toronto Sun\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.5.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s amazing what can be accomplished when lives hang in the balance.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>And three OPP officers dying by suicide in just three weeks back in 2018 certainly created a sense of urgency that led to the Ontario Provincial Police Association creating Encompas, a \u201cwraparound\u201d mental health service, that is now quite literally saving lives.<\/p>\n<p>A recently-released book written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, with Laurie Stephens, <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"> details how a team of people from the OPPA<\/span>, OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique and Ontario Premier Doug Ford worked together to bring his vision to fruition while he was serving as OPPA president \u2013 a role he held from 2015 to 2020.<\/p>\n<p>However, <em>In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community<\/em> is not simply a love letter to the revolutionary Encompas program.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"YourMiddaySun2840631012915109985456321497923584\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"TORSUN_YourMiddaySun\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>It is a handbook that every new recruit, current service member, retiree and their family members should read.<\/p>\n<p>This book can be used as a roadmap of sorts for first responder mental health advocacy.<\/p>\n<p>And it can serve as a guide for other first responder organizations to follow.<\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel4517866173868167818367660340543488\" data-aqa=\"embed-more-topic\" data-carousel-component data-carousel-icon-button data-carousel-type=\"list\">\n<p>Read More<\/p>\n<ol data-carousel-slide-list tabindex=\"0\">\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"MAN ON A MISSION: Improving PTSD treatment personal for outgoing OPPA president\", \"widget_title\": \"read-more\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/man-on-a-mission-improving-ptsd-treatment-personal-for-outgoing-oppa-president\", \"target_article_title\": \"MAN ON A MISSION: Improving PTSD treatment personal for outgoing OPPA president\", \"target_article_id\": \"a7ec02f9-6459-42ad-b982-51e20e1d4efd\", \"target_article_position\": \"0\", \"layout_section\": \"read-more\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/man-on-a-mission-improving-ptsd-treatment-personal-for-outgoing-oppa-president?utm_source=read-more\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ontario Provincial Police Association President Rob Jamieson, who will step down from his post next month, outside the OPPA offices in Barrie on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rob-Jamieson1.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=hxS_LPVnp3g23J9GdAUxbQ\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rob-Jamieson1.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=hxS_LPVnp3g23J9GdAUxbQ, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rob-Jamieson1.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=192&#038;sig=PGIX2NxB-5Y9N-lPRm03jA 2x,\n                                                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Rob-Jamieson1.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=288&#038;sig=SE85nEakGj1h7ByzB6uU8A 3x\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>MAN ON A MISSION: Improving PTSD treatment personal for outgoing OPPA president<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"WARMINGTON: OPP members devastated by latest officer suicide\", \"widget_title\": \"read-more\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/warmington-opp-members-devastated-by-latest-officer-suicide\", \"target_article_title\": \"WARMINGTON: OPP members devastated by latest officer suicide\", \"target_article_id\": \"a1106e4a-cf5b-4630-99b3-e0a0e16f4638\", \"target_article_position\": \"1\", \"layout_section\": \"read-more\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/warmington-opp-members-devastated-by-latest-officer-suicide?utm_source=read-more\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33300542_49542724-e1574194228915.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=ei-uRdlo7S1dIpsMZO3Rbw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33300542_49542724-e1574194228915.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=ei-uRdlo7S1dIpsMZO3Rbw, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33300542_49542724-e1574194228915.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=192&#038;sig=FnFJwL8R0MsVsCusVWrjfw 2x,\n                                                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/33300542_49542724-e1574194228915.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=288&#038;sig=bRJwliZd860b75KDSRgrAg 3x\" alt=\"None\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>WARMINGTON: OPP members devastated by latest officer suicide<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"Toronto cop opens up about mental health on eve of retirement\", \"widget_title\": \"read-more\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/toronto-cop-opens-up-about-mental-health-on-eve-of-retirement\", \"target_article_title\": \"Toronto cop opens up about mental health on eve of retirement\", \"target_article_id\": \"e3ff22fd-6c21-4a91-a6fb-bae32e8388b2\", \"target_article_position\": \"2\", \"layout_section\": \"read-more\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/toronto-cop-opens-up-about-mental-health-on-eve-of-retirement?utm_source=read-more\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Const. Scott Mills, Toronto Police Service Legal Graffiti Art Coordinator and Toronto Crime Stoppers Community Youth Officer, poses in front of some Legal Graffiti in Toronto on June 1, 2009.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/scott-mills3.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=aMIncuk-CTkWqrhwBLkcoA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/scott-mills3.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=96&#038;sig=aMIncuk-CTkWqrhwBLkcoA, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/scott-mills3.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=192&#038;sig=86K4l04CV1sBv9HL5DQH7Q 2x,\n                                                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/scott-mills3.jpg?quality=80&#038;strip=all&#038;h=288&#038;sig=Rpu89mFNGkRMNa6EbD1iqg 3x\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>Toronto cop opens up about mental health on eve of retirement<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<p>As Jamieson writes on the very first page, \u201cThis book is about saving lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, while the relationship between police commissioners, or police chiefs, and heads of a police union can often be adversarial, Jamieson told the Toronto Sun that Carrique reached out to him immediately after becoming commissioner in 2019 and they began working together to address the mental health crisis.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The OPP Commissioner even wrote the foreword in his book.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRob\u2019s legacy of leadership is Encompas and the lives changed and saved as a result of this visionary and game-changing approach to caring for our members and their families,\u201d Carrique writes.<\/p>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=e4IDVM7_7d9M_VlzC0VgrQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=sBDVZ1U_2E6dJgm66OmyLA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=pl1jgihEY4FXTYn74eDCoA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=rT5vXjkS0GK9jT2LFGxw0A 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=USdfZ_39atv9jM2P9p0bKA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=1ab0Vk4Alp0-14W9XsX7kA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=SXK7tOEDbRWPV34MTJCLFQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=VhZWHOptEyBYr8eNtyUFEw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=-jT1zoUlztYmJLBhE2UnPg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=VwHiug9VST2EMkK2e1Nc1g 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=m1m6NiY1ywWnSqOf0HAcpw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=m1m6NiY1ywWnSqOf0HAcpw,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/carrique.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=LAsl55qQxz_fSw61cK-f2w 2x\" height=\"1000\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"909\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.<\/span> <span>Photo by Ontario Provincial Police<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite his many accomplishments in life, Jamieson is quite content if it turns out Encompas is the one he is ultimately remembered for.<\/p>\n<p>Having struggled with occupational stress himself during his policing career, he had experienced some of the barriers those who needed help had to overcome. So, Jamieson, with the OPPA team, knew people needed to be able to access help immediately, even when they weren\u2019t sure what help they needed. They needed to be put in touch with trauma-informed people and support services. And they shouldn\u2019t have to worry about the cost \u2013 to their career or their finances.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople shouldn\u2019t have to decide between groceries and psychological support,\u201d Jamieson said.<\/p>\n<p>His goal at the outset was to \u201caddress the stigma and the debilitating effects of mental illness within the OPP,\u201d and to \u201ceffect change\u201d so that members \u2013 uniformed and civilian \u2013 and their loved ones would have \u201cthe intervention and supports they needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe culmination of that effort is Encompas, a one-stop approach to mental healthcare that currently provides 16,000 OPPA members and their families with access to confidential, effective, and safe mental health supports and services, 24\/7, 365 days a year,\u201d Jamieson explains in his book.<\/p>\n<p>He said the program, which provides unlimited coverage for counselling or even residential treatment and is constantly evolving, is \u201cone of the most integrated and comprehensive\u201d first responder programs in Canada.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=3iDDKtZUn1DATfTBNbrL5g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=9dqW6aQvtTJNCim7Jl2uZw 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=qZQpn8Yngy3-zK5UVN26nA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=qlSiWvfZx3mxv4p-zIN2Cg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=_pIwa-a0UHjjEI5WbrE0cg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=TeypvTstsMA-eDbM2prZqg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=UaAnOEzRf5ZUsETQNnPe_Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=94Fmg4zlX4HUf-6n4KgnHA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=I5yR30rq2tP4ZMVz-7wxYw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=fLx-tYbsalk7n8XM8e0lVQ 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=gWs8bPxVEEFd_JZ9eNKCxw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=gWs8bPxVEEFd_JZ9eNKCxw,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Jamieson-book-1.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=mDvhO2XAbWmBEfgpmC3R2w 2x\" height=\"1000\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"692\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.<\/span> <span>Photo by Amazon.ca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The book includes hard-hitting personal stories from an OPP widow, officers and spouses who, along with many others, inspired the creation of Encompas, and can now turn to the program and get the psychological supports they require.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Jamieson hopes those personal stories help other members, and retirees, to see that it\u2019s okay to ask for help \u2013 because mental health issues in the First Responder Community are deeply impactful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also why he shares some of his own struggles in the book and admits the work to bring Encompas online took such a toll on him that he once again needed to seek help.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m in great shape today and I\u2019m moving forward mentally \u2013 because I was able to access the support I needed,\u201d Jamieson said.<\/p>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=lvd20Z63CUaf6ihZRRrT6A, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=G-6izJT3i3hkxEvTcjzKyA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=rlMLFQ6Z16s7wgefQsr4Mw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=FXQ7IbeONc7JXOcGg97bcQ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=zJoA2wuOdymg6-HgR9i8yg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=oBrxPjgWWR4vswtH0diP4w 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=CJ3uSVVDUbGAJRzmQhZvvg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=pZp2RHbkZsa5wHm4krK0-g 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=JRPhSvKaOQt_wUs-M8vz3g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=TVnM8EIxKHLTQAcbJv9P6A 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson (seen here in a Toronto Sun file photo from 2020), who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=moBBBofjeCh35EviU8583Q\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=moBBBofjeCh35EviU8583Q,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/torontosun\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_3845.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=a-SR7b3LQO2TlxlUw1WVCQ 2x\" height=\"715\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson (seen here in a Toronto Sun file photo from 2020), who served as president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association from 2015 to 2020, with Laurie Stephens, was released in May 2025.<\/span> <span>Photo by Supplied<\/span> \/<span>Courtesy of the OPPA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He said many members are now also turning to Encompas as a preventive measure, rather than waiting until they are in crisis, and they are receiving ongoing support to maintain their mental health \u2013 all of which keeps officers and civilians at work, supports members while they are out of the workplace, and supports members on their return to the workplace.<\/p>\n<p data-async>And not content to just talk the talk, Jamieson is also walking the walk by donating all proceeds of his book to three first responder support organizations \u2013 <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Boots On The Ground\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.bootsontheground.ca\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bootsontheground.ca\/\">Boots On The Ground<\/a>, <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Canada Beyond The Blue\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/canadabeyondtheblue.com\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/canadabeyondtheblue.com\/\">Canada Beyond The Blue<\/a> and <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"SOLE (Survivors Of Law Enforcement Ontario\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/149787138510007\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/149787138510007\/\">SOLE (Survivors Of Law Enforcement Ontario<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p data-async><em>In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community<\/em> is available on <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"Amazon.ca\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/PURSUIT-MENTAL-WELLNESS-RESPONDER-COMMUNITY\/dp\/B0F7GQ3G9Y\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/PURSUIT-MENTAL-WELLNESS-RESPONDER-COMMUNITY\/dp\/B0F7GQ3G9Y\">Amazon.ca<\/a> at $41.45 for the hardcover, $24.93 for paperback and from $9.99 for Kindle.<\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"<span \n                data-original-string='nvtKT2QanlqzyU+I6tJ98Q==7f4IffcFKWimlkNMMXerN31zKz506oxkpapoBEFI6rrM0E='\n                class='apbct-email-encoder'\n                title='This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.'>cd<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>@<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>ia.com<\/span>&#8220;, &#8220;layout_section&#8221;: &#8220;in-page-link&#8221;}&#8221; data-evt=&#8221;click&#8221; data-evt-typ=&#8221;click&#8221; href=&#8221;http:\/\/torontosun.com\/mailto:cd*******@*******ia.com&#8221; data-original-string=&#8221;XnWaP7JIwpZDIpf8AXRDUg==7f4a4W9p9DNViFPxoQTq6oYsZq8ZBUG+36NRvfvX821n5k=&#8221; title=&#8221;This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.&#8221;><span \n                data-original-string='9q\/AHQ09Rf0VL2rb3LiAhg==7f4xxMRPY093S8\/3VgSwhEYxCr7aMeeihH4ssh80CzEK0k='\n                class='apbct-email-encoder'\n                title='This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.'>cd<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>@<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>ia.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"@sundoucette\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SunDoucette\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SunDoucette\">@sundoucette<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p> Chris Doucette <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/torontosun.com\/news\/local-news\/in-pursuit-of-mental-wellness-in-the-first-responder-community-its-about-saving-lives\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This book is a roadmap for the mental health journey that can serve as a guide for other first responder organizations to follow Published Sep 13, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 2\u00a0days ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read In Pursuit of Mental Wellness in the First Responder Community written by career OPP officer Rob Jamieson, who served<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":873327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4492,22799],"tags":[9051,20186],"class_list":{"0":"post-873326","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental","8":"category-pursuit","9":"tag-mental","10":"tag-pursuit"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=873326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/873326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/873327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=873326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=873326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=873326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}