Mental Health Self-Awareness for First Responders

Suicide prevention is a major public health issue. First responders—who include police, firefighters, paramedics, military personnel, dispatchers, public safety officers, corrections personnel and other associated positions—must therefore be prepared for intervention with people experiencing psychological distress that threaten suicide or die by suicide. They must also be aware that, because of their profession, they will be confronted with many potentially stressful and traumatic situations.

The Mental Health Self-awareness for First Responders course will prepare you to intervene in critical situations on scenes of accidents, crimes, or fire. The course will allow you to recognize someone who is at risk of suicide and direct them to appropriate resources, to minimize the risks, and to support yourself and those around you in a career that involves increased exposure to demanding situations.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed this course you will be able to:

• Identify the dynamics of mental health disorders related to first responders’ work stress and the increased risk of mental health issues and suicide of emergency services personnel
• Identify potential risk factors including suicide among emergency services personnel
• Recall four specific issues to watch for in first responders and describe their impact in terms of depression, addiction, and relationship
• Identify the importance of dialogue and peer support in preventing mental health difficulties and suicide
• Identify the similarities between mental and physical health
• Describe your role in maintaining your own mental health
• Outline the stages of an intervention in a crisis situation
• Identify the role of a mental health clinician