First responders discuss mental health struggles, supports at first-ever Hamilton symposium

First responders help us through some of our worst moments, but what happens when they’re the ones needing help?

A first-of-its-kind symposium was held in Hamilton Wednesday, which brought first responders together to discuss the job’s impact on mental health and ways to better support workers.

Hamilton Fire Captain Luke Lillicrop has spent 20 years with Hamilton Fire, and says he has the best job in the world.

However, some parts of the job are hard to leave behind, including a call he responded to as a volunteer.

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“It was a family of five, I believe — it was two weeks before Christmas,” said Lillicrop. “Three kids passed away, so that was probably the worst call that I’ve ever been on.”

Running towards emergencies is part of the job, but so is being exposed to trauma again and again.

Hamilton Police Sgt. Andrew Toms says he’s responded to horrific calls throughout his career, but one experience that stuck with him happened inside his own workplace.

“One that sticks with me is an on-duty suicide that involved my boss and just navigating that for myself as a sergeant, losing a good friend and a boss, and helping the squad and the service through that ordeal is definitely something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” said Toms.

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Hamilton Police Communications Supervisor and event organizer Jennifer Moreton says the symposium’s goal is to make sure first responders know that support is available.

“The intention of this event was just to have resources available for first responders, services that they can bring back to their services, building their peer support teams, and then also just connection,” said Moreton. “I think it’s breaking down the silos for police, fire and ambulance emergency dispatchers — there’s a misconception that we need to support one another within our silos.”

Toms says most of the emergency calls involve police, paramedics and firefighters, and while they have different roles, they share a lot of the same trauma.

The symposium brought them together.

“It makes you feel like you’re part of the much bigger community, not just the Hamilton Police Service, who are part of a community that serves our city,” said Toms.

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