Joey Bartlett
Sergeant Jason Johnson, treasurer of the Police Services and Social Welfare Association, says he hopes the association’s new health and wellness initiatives will encourage officers to take better care of themselves, both physically and mentally.
Speaking to Newsday at Beesam’s Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) compound’s Vehicle Management Corporation on September 23, Johnson said that health fairs were not a new concept for the association, but that this was the biggest concept to date and that he hoped the initiative would become an annual event.
“This is the first time we have attempted an initiative of this size, a partnership involving stakeholders from companies, including Guardian Life and Blue Waters.”
Several tents were set up for the fair and provided a variety of health-centric services. Despite the bad weather, several officers, including some on duty, visited the booth to access services such as blood pressure and glucose testing, vision screening, massage therapy and Chinese herbal medicine consultations.
Johnson stressed that the goal of the initiative is to focus on the health of executives and to highlight issues that many may not realize they are facing.
“It’s really an effort to bring awareness to the executives about their health and underlying issues and shedding light on those issues.”
When Newsday spoke with Johnson around 11am, voter turnout was already encouraging.
“It’s still early in the morning, but there are quite a few pedestrians. Inside, there are several services, including massage therapists, blood glucose testing, visual screening and dental screening.”
The fair, which began around 9am, was scheduled to last until 5pm to accommodate officers working on different shifts.
“We also have cancer screenings and several other medical services available to members of Police Services and other extended services.”
Johnson said one of his biggest concerns is the number of officers suffering or have died from lifestyle-related illnesses.
“We have seen executives dying from complications related to diabetes, stroke and heart disease, so this initiative is extremely important to raise awareness and encourage preventive care.”
He recalled the recent losses of the association’s last welfare committee chair, who died of illness, as a catalyst for launching the initiative.
“That was the driving force behind us making us say, ‘Let’s do something.’
“We want our officers to understand that their health care is their welfare. We encourage them to undergo regular testing and become proactive. Preventive care can ensure a better quality of life, both on and off the job.”
While the fair focused primarily on health, Johnson emphasized that mental health is also a priority.
“We have a service focused on mental well-being. Our police doctors are here to provide counseling and support when needed. They also include massage therapy to create a relaxed and supportive environment. Therefore, we are committed to not only physical health, but mental health.”
In his final message to the executives, Johnson encouraged all ranks to prioritize their happiness.
“We know that work is physically and mentally demanding, but even dedicating 10-15 minutes a day to exercise, relaxation, or treatment can make a huge difference. We want to see healthier, more balanced executives, both in ourselves and the communities they serve.”
