St. Thomas, ON – Monday May 4th 2026
The St. Thomas Police Service is marking Mental Health Week by sharing the impact of our Wellness Navigation Project, a locally developed initiative focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of both sworn and civilian members of our service.
The Wellness Navigation Project was established as a proactive approach to strengthening organizational health, resiliency, and long-term sustainability in policing. The initiative reflects a broader commitment to ensuring members are supported not only in their operational roles, but in their overall wellbeing.
In 2025, the project received national recognition after being named one of the Top 10 policing feature stories by Blue Line Magazine.
Developed in partnership with St. Thomas native Dr. Kym Briggs, the project is grounded in direct engagement with our members. Surveys, interviews, focus groups, and educational workshops have informed a multi-year strategy designed to better identify mental health concerns early and improve access to supports.
A key component of the initiative includes embedding trauma-informed, first responder specific counselling services within the police facility. This approach reduces barriers to access and supports the normalization of seeking care as part of routine wellness.
The Wellness Navigation Project reflects an ongoing shift toward evidence informed, member centered approaches to policing, where internal health is recognized as foundational to effective public safety service delivery.
The St. Thomas Police Service remains committed to advancing this work and contributing to broader conversations on mental health in policing across Ontario and beyond.
Additional coverage of the Wellness Navigation Project is available through St. Thomas Today/myFM
