Transit officers trained to help people with mental health issues

Most of the Edmonton Transit's 75 peace officers have received training to deal with people with mental health issues as a way to improve safety on trains, buses and station platforms.

City chaplain John Dowds, a course trainer, said officers learn how to recognize psychotic episodes, panic attacks, substance use and depression.

And then respond to get people the help they need.

"They're not counsellors, they're not therapists ... they're not there to diagnose," Dowds said.

"Part of the role is to have a greater understanding of some of those issues and to respond in a first aid kind of way, and maybe take the person to the next step to get the help and the support that they may need."

In addition to learning the symptoms of various disorders, the two-day course teaches officers suicide intervention techniques and how to deal with someone having substance abuse issues, experiencing depression, a panic attack or a psychotic episode.

"The better the understanding they have around those issues … it's another set of tools in their toolbox to manage those kinds of contacts," Dowds said.

Peace officer Rob Sevigny said he encounters people with mental illness on every shift. Prior to training, his first instinct was to call an ambulance, but now he tries to assess the situation.

"Maybe making a couple of phone calls to some other resources first," he said.

The peace officers received the training earlier this year. They are among 500 city staff who have taken the course.