Thames Centre Receives Mental Health Funding for Firefighters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thames Centre Receives Mental Health Funding for Firefighters

Provincial Funding Expands Access to Mental Health Resources

THAMES CENTRE –  The Municipality of Thames Centre has qualified for $25,000 in funding from the Ontario Government’s Mental Health Supports for Public Safety Personnel (MHS4PSP) program.

This program is designed to give first responders greater access to specialized mental health services.

“We will always be ready to help those who help others,” emphasized Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack. “We want them to know that when they’re facing difficult times, that they are not alone.”

“Ontario’s first responders face extremely dangerous situations to help people when they need it the most. This program gives public safety personnel greater access to the mental health resources they need.”

Thames Centre’s funding will go towards supporting personnel at the Thames Centre Fire Department.

“Our volunteer firefighters work hard to keep our community safe,” explained Mayor Sharron McMillan. “This funding will allow us to invest in protecting the mental health of our firefighters. Our firefighters are always looking out for us – we are happy to have the opportunity to support them back.”

MPP Flack joined Mayor McMillan and Deputy Mayor Michelle Smibert at Thames Centre Fire Station No. 1 this weekend to meet with representatives from Thames Centre Fire Department and Middlesex-London Paramedic Services for a cheque presentation.

Middlesex County and the City of London are also receiving funding from the MHS4PSP program to fund mental health supports for first responders.

The Ontario Government is investing over $32 million through the MHS4PSP program in 2025-26 to ensure first responders and public safety personnel have access to mental health supports. This includes police officers, firefighters, correctional workers, paramedics and others who support Ontario’s public safety system.

See Also:

Ontario Government News Release

MHS4PSP Backgrounder

Mental Health Resources for First Responders

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Media Contact:

Michael Ramnanan
Communications Manager
mramnanan@thamescentre.on.ca
519.268-7334 ext. 258