Monday, August 16: Head Strong

Most people are aware of the physical demands that first response activities place on firefighters and other first responders. But it is important to also realize the impact that fighting fires and responding to emergencies has on the mental wellbeing of emergency personnel. Firefighters and EMS providers face the risk of many behavioral health concerns such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

 

Taking care of your mental health is as important as managing your physical health. It is critical that the emergency service community recognize the importance of mental wellbeing and create a culture within the department that makes behavioral health a priority. Use this day during National Firefighter Health Week to open the dialogue within your department about behavioral health issues and focus on what you can do to foster positive behavioral health practices all year long.

 

 

• Remind department members to seek help if they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed. Create and distribute a listing of available resources and support systems within the department and the community.
• Many universities or local mental health centers host annual screening days for depression and substance abuse. Encourage your department to take advantage of these offers.
• Encourage everyone in your department to be aware of the other members. Is one member working long hours, under a lot of stress, or drinking more heavily than usual? Be accountable for each other and don’t be afraid to ask that person if you can help.
• Encourage play! Coordinate events that are just for fun. Have a friendly game of touch football, play board or card games in between calls, plan a heart-healthy cooking class – anything that helps build camaraderie while also reducing stress.
• Ask a local mental health professional or service provider to donate an hour to speak to department members. They can explain that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that it is okay to talk about it. They can also speak about how mental health is related to physical health, including heart disease and stroke.
• Encourage members to exercise every day, even if it is just going for a walk outside. Exercise produces endorphins which improve mood.
• Contact Wills for Heroes, a nonprofit organization that offers free estate planning services to first responders. Knowing that your loved ones are protected creates peace of mind.
• If you are feeling stressed, sad, or depressed, talk to a trusted friend, family member, colleague, support group, or counselor. Talking about what is bothering you can help relieve the stress and make you feel better.
• Find activities that help you relieve stress. Perhaps you feel better after exercising or meditating. Some people relax by listening to soothing music, taking deep breaths, or going for a walk. Find a productive activity that helps you unwind after a stressful day or incident.
• Make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress or a more negative mood. If you are not getting a good night’s sleep, try going to bed earlier tonight and see how you feel in the morning.

 

 

The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program will hold Behavioral Health Workshops at five state association conferences across the country over the course of the next year. The workshop will focus on critical behavioral health issues including alcohol abuse, time management, and personal safety behaviors. Stay tuned to the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program web site for more information, including locations. The workshops are made possible thanks to a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

 

In this article, which was published in the December 2009 issue of Firehouse Magazine, NVFC Second Vice Chairman Jeff Cash (NC) examines the stress first responders face, the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stress, and  ways to manage stress.

 

Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, explains why behavior health is especially important for first responders and looks at some new initiatives in the area of behavioral health in the emergency services. This podcast was recorded in August 2009.

 

Initiative 13 of the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation’s Life Safety Initiatives focuses on the mental wellbeing of firefighters and their families. This page contains links to research and resources regarding firefighter behavioral health issues.

 

NAFFVN offers resources and information to educate firefighters about behavioral health issues such as stress, job burnout, and post traumatic stress reactions in order to better respond to the needs of first responders.

 

The Firefighters Support Foundation is dedicated to assisting firefighters and rescue personnel perform their jobs effectively and safely, aid under-funded agencies, assist families of fallen firefighters in their greatest time of need, and help prevent fires through public awareness. As part of their training program, FSF introduced a series of three videos on mental health topics for first responders:

 

FireRescue1.com’s Health and Wellness Section offers articles on a wide range of health topics relevant to first responders, including behavioral health. Behavioral health article links include the following: 

 

Fire Department Network News

FDNNTV.com contains stories relating to firefighter health and wellness. Those specifically about behavioral health include: 

 

This nonprofit organization provides online, telephone, and in-person mental health screenings, as well as sponsors the annual National Depression Screening Day. SMH programs include both in-person and online programs for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol problems, and suicide prevention. Resources include the anonymous online mental health screening tool among many others.

 

NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. The Institute has released many resources for managing stress in the workplace, including:

 

The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. The site contains research, information, and resources on a wide array of mental health topics, including anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide prevention.

 

Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Center leads national efforts to improve prevention and mental health treatment services for all Americans. The Center provides information, resources, programs, and publications, on a variety of mental health topics, including coping with traumatic events, stress/anxiety, and much more.

 

Mental Health America is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. Their resources and activities include information on mental health topics, a help line, Mental Health Month materials, National Depression Screening Day, advocacy programs, and prevention and recovery programs.

 

The Academy is a multidisciplinary network of professionals who are committed to the advancement of intervention for survivors of traumatic events. Resources include Crisis Talk, which has a forum for emergency responders.

 

Based in the United Kingdom, the Mental Health Foundation provides information, advocacy, and programs to help people survive, recover from, and prevent mental health problems. Some of the resources provided on the web site include:

 

Sleep is vital to a person’s health and wellbeing, yet millions of Americans do not get enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable, educational, and scientific nonprofit organization dedicated to improving sleep health and safety through education, public awareness, and advocacy.

 

This booklet from NHLBI provides information about important sleep topics such as common sleep myths and practical tips for getting adequate sleep, coping with jet lag and nighttime shift work, and avoiding dangerous drowsy driving. It also includes information on sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and some parasomnias.

 

Revolution Health is an online health resource designed to help individuals make informed choices so they can have more convenience and control over their individual healthcare decisions. The mental and behavioral health section contains articles on topics including anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, and stress. The site also features online support groups, forums, and blogs.

 

Medline Plus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. The Depression Section of Medline Plus provides a compendium of resources, tools, and information about this mental health topic.