The Conception Bay South Fire Department is launching a mental health program aimed at raising mental health awareness for firefighters.

The Resilient Minds program, an initiative of the CBS Fire Department and the Canadian Mental Health Association, will be launched in the coming weeks.

Mayor Terry French says the program looks at the specific needs of the firefighters.

Meanwhile, on a broader scale, efforts in addressing mental health injuries and some of the stresses involved in the role firefighters play are improving.

That’s according to Chief Joe Power of the Labrador West Fire Department, who is also the President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services.

He says firefighters often shoulder some of what they’ve seen and experienced at fire and accident scenes, and efforts in addressing that are getting better.

They ensure that all fire departments that experience an event have access to a professional team to turn to.