We may never know what caused a member of the London Police to be in such a state that a lock down was needed.
London Police headquarters was the scene of a nine-hour standoff Thursday. Officers surrounded the building and EMS was on standby.
The situation was resolved peacefully and no danger was posed to the public.
While London Police won’t be issuing any further details, it is important to consider the mental health of those who encounter emergencies for a living. Triggers for a crisis situation can come from an experience at work or their personal lives; but the effects can be life altering.
First responders and Military can reach out to Tema Conter Memorial Trust for support for themselves as well as their families in time of need. They focus on pre-incident training, peer support and professional mental health support.
Photo courtesy of www.tema.ca
“The stigma that is still very prevalent is you know, suck it up buttercup, many first responders are reluctant to come forward and ask for help because they fear what those ramifications may be” says Tema Executive Director Vince Savoia in regards to why some officers may not be open with their struggles.
A situation mirroring what occurred at the London Police headquarters is one Tema is working to make sure never happens. They promote resiliency and mental wellness for all first responders and their loved ones.
Savoia and the staff at Tema Conter Memorial Trust were surprised to learn of London’s standoff incident and are willing to assist the London Police Service in any way that they can.
