Mental Health First Aid offers new training module for Northeast Ohio Fire/EMS mental health

According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, one in every five people will experience some sort of mental health illness every year, making it highly probable that first responders will encounter someone within their line of work, maybe even one of their own, facing a mental health issue.

Many mental health agencies are recognizing that first responders are four times more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, the council stated.

These suicides are often the result of traumatic and high-stress situations they face on almost a daily basis, according to Mental Health First Aid, an organization administered by the National Council for Behavioral Health.

The culture first responders deal with is one that can make it difficult for them to come forward and seek help because they often work with the mentality that the one who helps is not the one who should be asking for help.

“By openly addressing and acknowledging the mental health challenges they face, we can embrace the notion that these issues are no different than any other injury or disease,” a news release from Mental Health First Aid said. “We can also ensure they get the mental health support and services they need.”

The National Council for Behavioral Health on May 15 announced a newly created Mental Health First Aid training module. The Fire/EMS module, for firefighters and emergency medical personnel, provides skills they can use to support people they serve, their colleagues or themselves through a mental health or addiction crisis.

“Firefighters and EMS workers are first on the scene to not only witness an accident, injury or shocking event, but also deal with the emotional repercussions — both within themselves and their communities,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health. “Over time, that takes a toll, and the Fire/EMS module was created to address that. It’s critical they know what services are available to them and where to go for help — we owe them that.”

According to the news release, “Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS provides a fundamental understanding of the common mental health challenges experienced by first responders.”

Instructors trained through the program will learn how to: recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges, assist community members experiencing emotional distress, connect colleagues with appropriate services and apply the five-step action plan.

Key components of the course include: a discussion of first responder culture; stigma and relevance to mental health; outreach tactics; discussion of specific risk factors faced by many responders and their families; and a review of common mental health resources for first responders, their families and those who support them.

The eight-hour course will be offered throughout the country once the trainers and instructors have completed their training and certification.

“The stigma surround mental health is so severe that many of our first responders cope by turning to alcohol, using prescription medications and attempting or committing suicide,” said Angela Leath, crisis intervention administrator for Las Vegas Fire and Rescue. “The time to start recognizing and joining together to initiate change for this population is well overdue, and this is where Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS will play a role.”

To learn more about Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

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