Peer Support and CISM Teams
Peer Support Team
The VPD Peer Support Team is part of the Employee Wellness Unit, along with our CISM teams and the Physical Health and Performance Team. We work together to actively support VPD civilian and sworn employees through proactive and reactive methods. Our goal is to reduce barriers to self-care and to eliminate the stigma associated to mental health.
Have you met Zen? He is an accredited facility dog, and works with Constable Michele McKnight. Numerous studies have shown the positive impacts animals have on the physiological symptoms of stress and anxiety, such as reducing heart rates and blood pressure, and improving effective breathing.
Zen will support Constable McKnight when she responds to CISM defusings and while she makes her rounds visiting staff.
Sworn CISM Team
The VPD CISM team consider of 25 specially trained officers, with lived experience and from various areas of the Department. They reach out to members and provide resources and ongoing support. With your permission, they will also support members while they are going through HR issues, WSB claims, and with psychologist appointments.
Their goal is to reduce the stigma around mental health and get members the resources they need.
Contact the Sworn CISM Team.
Civilian CISM Team
Peer Support is proactive, personal contact with employees to help maintain or improve their mental health. The role of a Peer Support member is to encourage positive self-care and to provide resources and on-going support as employees navigate personal or occupational events or situations. This type of peer support aids employees by normalizing the emotional, physical or psychological responses to stressful events, and connects employees to resources like registered clinical counsellors or psychologists.
Peer Support is confidential, unless:
- an employee is a danger to themselves or others
- is involved in criminal activity
- there is a situation where a child is at risk
Team members will not share an employee’s situation with HR or anyone else.
Contact the Civilian CISM Team.