First Responder Mental Health Awareness Week Symposium

First Responder Mental Health Awareness Week Symposium

Hamilton Police Service (HPS) will host the first-ever Canadian First Responder Mental Health Awareness Week Symposium on October 7, 2026.

The full-day symposium will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Carmen’s Banquet Hall, located at 1520 Stone Church Road East in Hamilton. The event will bring together members of the first responder community—including Police, Fire, Paramedics, and Public Safety Telecommunicators—for a day of education, awareness, and connection.

Through experienced and impactful speakers, the symposium will highlight the unique mental and emotional challenges faced by first responders while fostering a safe and supportive environment for learning, reflection, and collaboration. Attendees will gain valuable insights, practical tools, and opportunities to engage with colleagues across emergency services.

The symposium will feature keynote speaker Ryan Chambers, a nationally recognized public safety leader with 17 years of experience serving as a dispatcher, Communications Training Officer (CTO), and Fire Captain. Chambers has trained thousands of first responders across 47 states and is widely recognized for his work in peer support, resilience, and proactive mental health strategies within the public safety sector.

The event underscores HPS’s commitment to advancing mental health awareness and building resilience within the first responder community through collaboration and shared learning.

Event Information:
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Carmen’s Banquet Hall, 1520 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton
Cost: $100 per person

Registration Deadline: September 11, 2026

To register and learn more, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/first-responder-mental-health-awareness-week-symposium-tickets-1988169054161?aff=oddtdtcreator