‘Resiliency programs’ could help first responders
Tragedies such as the recent suicide of Regina paramedic Robbie Curtis pose a desperate question: What more needs to be done to protect the mental health of first responders?
Through the development of a “resiliency program,” B.C. trauma therapist Duncan Shields has been helping find the answer.
On Tuesday morning, Shields shared promising results of a pilot program designed for a group of B.C. firefighters, as part of the annual forum of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research, which is being held in Regina this week.
“We really wanted to start to see the fire halls with people who are knowledgeable about operational stress and … could take care of themselves, but also support their peers,” said Shields, who is also an adjunct professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of British Columbia.
The pilot program was designed in conjunction with the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) and Shields, a collaborative approach which is integral to the success of the program, he said.
The three-and-a-half-day program is peer based and aims to “assist first responders to better help themselves and their fellow responders to protect or recover their resilience and well-being.”
Objectives include helping participants understand operational stress (psychological difficulty re- sulting from operational duties), giving an opportunity to discuss their experiences, providing tools to maintain and regain resilience, and providing a good mental health contact.
“I arrived broken, anxious and feeling alone. I left empowered, more at peace, and with what I anticipate will be a lifelong bond with nice new brothers that is unlike anything I have ever experienced,” said one anonymous participant.
“This program literally saved my life. Just two weeks prior I was seriously considering suicide — the third time of late, complete with a plan,” said another.
While the pilot program was designed for firefighters, it was also attended by police and military members. The structure can be applied to any group of first responders, who are at risk for cumulative operational stress injuries.
Shields said the positive results of the pilot were more than he had even hoped for, with participants reporting significantly lower rates of PTSD symptoms and depression immediately after, and even six months after the program.
“Each of those participants have become ambassadors for a different way of taking care of themselves,” said Shields, adding they’ve learned how to support each other as well.
More information can be found on the BCPFFA’S First Responder Resiliency Program under the “resources” tab of their website, bcpffa.net.