Northern Manitoba now has a stronger line of defense against the hidden toll of disasters. A series of recent trauma response trainings has equipped more than 50 community members and frontline professionals to step in within hours of a crisis before lasting psychological scars set in.

Dr. Nuwan Fonseka, clinical psychologist and founder of the Integrative Mindfulness Center, says the goal is simple but urgent: to build a network of people ready to deliver “emotional CPR” within 24 hours of events like wildfires, floods, or sudden loss.

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“We’re seeing that even well-trained professionals become vulnerable during disasters,” Fonseka explained. “Communities told us they want their own acute trauma response system, neighbors helping neighbors, because outside help often a

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