Workplace Trauma and Violence has lasting effects!

The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions recently released a study that clearly demonstrated this. The study “Mental Disorder Symptoms among Nurses in Canada” found that of the respondents:

• 1 in 3 screened positive for Major Depressive Disorder
• Greater than 1 in 4 screened positive for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and clinical burnout
• 1 in 3 reported having suicidal thoughts
• Greater than 20% had screen positive for PTSD and panic disorders. This was consistent with other public safety personnel like paramedics, firefighters, police, etc.

The top three most frequent trauma exposures sited in the study was:

• Physical assault (92.7%);
• Death of an individual after extraordinary efforts were made to save their life (88.9%);
• Death of someone who reminded you of friends or family (86.0%).

ONA Local 8 has created these videos and this webpage in an effort to bring this topic to the attention of our community and to offer a starting point for finding help if you are struggling and need help. In collaboration of our supporters, we have assembled a list of resources which can offer you many options to seek assistance.

This webpage does not provide medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. ONA Local 8 does not endorse any of these services. Local 8 provides these services as an informational resource only.

If you are in a crisis, please contact the local crisis line at 519-973-4435, 911, or go to your local emergency department.

A person SHOULD GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT if experiencing:

• Acutely suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviour
• Substance related intoxication
• Acute psychosis
• Possible medical issues
• Severe alcohol dependency
• Aggressive or violent behaviour with risk to others

• 24 hours Crisis Telephone line: 519-973-4435
• Windsor Regional Hospital – Emergency Departments
• Windsor Regional Hospital Domestic Violence Program
• Community Crisis Centre within the Crisis and Mental Wellness Centre (Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare)
• Hiatus House
  • Hiatus House provides crisis support and shelter for women and children in Windsor and area who are fleeing violence and abuse. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing help and hope for families faced with domestic violence. We also provide education to women, men and children through counselling and group services.
  • 24-Hour Helpline
    • Trained staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide crisis support, safety planning and referrals to women and anyone impacted by domestic violence. To access this free and confidential service immediately over-the phone, call 519-252-7781, or attend in-person at 250 Louis Avenue.
  • Emergency Shelter
    • Our caring and dedicated staff support women and their children, escaping violence through our emergency shelter service. We have a 42 bed shelter located in Windsor, Ontario. All shelter services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • We also provide specific supports and programming for women, children and youth who are onsite to meet any needs they may have while in shelter. The team is able to support women and children within a culturally safe setting, with access to translation services if required. For immediate assistance, call 519-252-7781.
  • Other services - To review other services offered click here
• FSEAP – for applicable employers. Many employers in the Windsor Essex County area have the same EAP. Please check with your employer to see what company you are using. Available to help 24/7. Phone: 1-844-720-1212
• For those local nurses who may not have an EAP, Family Services Windsor-Essex, through our community Professional Counselling Program, provides:
  • Individual/Couple/Family Counselling
  • Benefit Coverage, Family Health Organization (FHO) coverage,Sliding Fee Scale or subsidies available for those who quality
  • Trauma-Informed Master’s Level Clinicians (Registered Social Worker and Registered Psychotherapists)
  • Confidential, Accredited and Accessible
  • In-person (limited), telephonic, video-format available
  • No wait list
  • Self-referral
  • Monday – Thursday – 9 – 8 PM; Friday – 9 – 5 PM; Saturday – 9 – 2 PM
  • Walk-In Counselling Clinic available currently by telephone
  • Please call 519-966-5010 and ask for Customer Care for assistance and to register

Confidential support for health care worker from a clinician: You can self-refer online or by phone to any of the access points below.

• University of Windsor - Free Counselling Sessions for Hospital Workers.
• Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto
• Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby
• St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton
• The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa
• Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene

• Candian Mental Health Association - Windsor-Essex County
• We Help First - (for first responders)
• University of Windsor – Free Counselling Sessions for Hospital Workers
• Windsor-Essex County Health Unit – Where to Access Help and Resources
• CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - Self-Referral Form
• CAMH – Mental Health and COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Workers
• Mental Health Commission of Canada – Resource Hub
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Wellness Resources for Health Professionals
• Canadian Psychological Association – Fact Sheets / COVID-19 Resources
• Echo Care: Peer support available to all Healthcare Providers and Health Professions Students: Participate in an online session with peers to learn about ways to build resilience and maintain wellness through lectures and case-based discussions by joining:
  • ECHO Coping with COVID-19, which is designed for health care providers and doctors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic (meets twice per week)
  • ECHO Care of the Elderly for LTC: COVID-19, which is designed for those working in long-term care settings (meets once a week)

Grief and Bereavement Supports for Health Care Workers Online Sessions

• Preparing ourselves for the marathon of a Pandemic
• Coping with the Fear of Infection
• When Families Can Not Be Present at The Time of Death
• Assessing and Coping with Exhaustion

• Windsor-Essex Health Unit – Support Children, Family Members and Friends
• CMHO – Children Mental Health Ontario – COVID Resources for Parents
• CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Youth Wellness Hubs – Ontario – Resources for Young People

• Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Centre (MHAUUC)

  In an effort to respond to the mental health and addiction needs of our community especially given the anxiety, fear and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) with partner the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch (CMHA WECB) have opened the Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Care Centre (MHAUCC).

  THE MHAUCC is a central access point for adults or youth aged 16 years or older who cannot safely wait for community mental health and addiction support. The service is intended for those experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis or who are having an acute and serious need who are at risk of worsening mental health condition that may require hospitalization.

  Services Include:

  • Brief Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Support
  • Urgent Psychiatric Assessment and Consultation
  • Medical Assessment and Monitoring
  • Connection to community-based services
  • Addiction Management Services

  Location Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch
  1400 Windsor Avenue.
  Windsor, ON N8X 3L9
  Phone: 519.257.5111 ext. 77968

  Hours

  • Monday 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  Referral Self-referral, physician and healthcare provider referrals accepted. Walk-in during hours of operation.

• Pandemic Response Therapist

  A new Pandemic Response Therapist will focus on serving the needs of those affected mentally and emotionally by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  CMHA-WECB was able to make this position come to fruition immediately thanks to the generous support of the Toldo Foundation who have committed $70,000.

  Even before the virus outbreak, depression and anxiety have been noted as defining features of our times. Isolation and uncertainty may compound these issues for some. It is anticipated that the Pandemic Response Therapist will see individuals experiencing heightened anxiety and depression along with those who are dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19.

  To access call 519-973-4435
  Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30

• Bounce Back (open to everyone)
• Frontline Resilience - for front line workers
• Starling Minds
• Windsor-Essex Counselling Support Line – Pandemic Related Support
  • 24/7
  • No cost
  • Call 519-946-3277 or 1-877-451-1055

The resources on this page were gathered with the collaboration of community partners. Below is a list of partners who supported ONA Local 8 in our goal to bring the impact of workplace violence and trauma into focus and the provide a starting point for healthcare workers to seek help.

• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services
• Erie Shores Healthcare
• Hiatus House
• Hotel Dieu Healthcare
• Windsor Essex County Health Unit
• Windsor Regional Hospital

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