Earlier this week the Alliance Health medical clinic, in conjunction with the Moose Jaw YMCA, announced the Mental Health Initiative that will help 500 community members receive free mental and physical support. The Moose Jaw Police Department is not only supporting the program, they are participating.

Chief of Police Rick Bourassa was at the announcement this week and is very happy to be a part of the initiative.

"We're happy to have this opportunity and we'll take as much advantage of it as we can," Bourassa said. "Of course, we're very interested in not only community wellness but also wellness within our organization."

Bourassa said that the psychological counselling and information will be offered as part of mandatory training given to all members of the police force.

Taylor Mickelborough, President of the Moose Jaw Police Association said this is a positive step for everyone.

"(The Police Association) is very excited that we will be partnering with Alliance Health medical clinic and the YMCA in this proactive initiative to promote mental health among our members"

Bourassa said that police can struggle with mental health issues just like anyone else.

"Sometimes we deal with some stressors that other people might not deal with in terms of critical incidents," said Bourassa, "but police officers, like everyone else, are human. Depression and anxiety and those sorts of things that can affect anyone in a population certainly affect anyone in policing and we want to make sure we've got things in place to help our officers through those times should they encounter them."

The initiative will begin in February. If you would like to get more information or to participate, contact your family doctor.