Our local police service has joined others across the country in implementing the Military Veteran Assistance Referral Form (MVWP), as part of the Military Veterans Wellness Program.
Officials say the program began in 2019 and aims to achieve prosperity for all Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and increased public safety for communities across Canada.
The program will give frontline officers training to connect Veterans with social services, and will now able to access the referral form on their mobile devices, in car terminals or their desktop computers.
“Our officers deal with people in crisis on a daily basis. When those individuals are identified as military veterans, our officers now have a fast effective way to connect the veteran to the support systems that are in place” said Inspector Jeff Warner “This is one small step that our service can take to help ensure that those who have given so much to our country are given the help they need and the support they deserve”
Officials say the MVWP was developed in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police, Toronto Police Military Veterans Association, Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans Affairs Canada, and the Operational Stress Injury Social Support program – administered by the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Military veterans often experience unique barriers related to their experiences in the military including physical and mental health issues, challenges integrating into civilian life, and difficulty asking for and receiving supports,” reads a release from the North Bay Police Service. “They add at times these challenges can result in a lack of employment, difficulties with relationships, addictions, and even homelessness and suicidal ideations. There are approximately 3000 – 5000 unhoused Veterans across Canada, and Veterans die by suicide at approximately twice the rate of the general public.”
