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Supporting the Mental Health of Rural Alberta First Responders and their Families
Dealing with the Impacts of Trauma
First responders are subjected to upsetting, disturbing, difficult and sometimes traumatic incidents on a regular basis. That’s why a FREE, comprehensive, evidence-based mental health services program was offered to fire and rescue, paramedics, emergency health care workers and police services personnel working in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in Alberta. The program also provided much needed training to family members of first responders who have participated in the program. This program is now closed for new training.
Vital Resources for Rural First Responders
The program provided Alberta rural firefighters, emergency health care workers, law enforcement, and paramedical personnel living with or at risk of post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) with access to FREE Mental Health Commission of Canada training and PTSI resources. The program was delivered in either virtual or in-person format, with support from Espri by TELUS Health, the downloadable mobile app that provides booster training and supplementary PTSI content.
Fire Services Enrollment
Who attended from the fire services sector? Professional and volunteer:
- Fire Chiefs
- Deputy Chiefs
- Captains
- Supervisors
- Training Officers
- Logistics Officers
- Firefighters
- Hybrid Paramedic/Firefighters
- Field Officers
- Fire Suppression/Prevention Personnel
- 911 Dispatchers
- Fire Cadets
Emergency Health Care Workers Enrollment
Who attended from the emergency health care workers sector?
Emergency department and urgent care:
- Physicians
- Physicians Assistants
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Certified Graduate Nurses (CGN)
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Graduate Nurses (GN)
- Graduate Nurse Practitioners (GNP)
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
- Health Care Aides (HCA)
- Allied Health Workers
Law Enforcement Enrollment
Who attended from the law enforcement sector?
Employers of or organized labour representing:
- Police Officers
- Community Peace Officers (CPO)
- Sheriffs
- Correctional Officers
- Correctional Service Workers
- Groups represented under Indigenous Policing Arrangements (Tripartite Policing Agreements, Self-Administered, Enhanced Community Policing for Metis Settlements)
Paramedical Enrollment
Who attended from the paramedical sector?
Employers of or organized labour representing:
- Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
- Primary Care Paramedics (PCP)
- Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP)
- Community Paramedics
- Registered Primary Care Paramedics (PCP)
- Hybrid (Paramedic/Firefighter)
- Communication Officers
Fire Services Enrollment
Who attended from the fire services sector?
Professional and volunteer:
- Fire Chiefs
- Deputy Chiefs
- Captains
- Supervisors
- Training Officers
- Logistics Officers
- Firefighters
- Hybrid Paramedic/Firefighters
- Field Officers
- Fire Suppression/Prevention Personnel
- 911 Dispatchers
- Fire Cadets
Emergency Health Care Workers Enrollment
Who attended from the emergency health care workers sector?
Emergency department and urgent care:
- Physicians
- Physicians Assistants
- Registered Nurses (RN)
- Certified Graduate Nurses (CGN)
- Nurse Practitioners (NP)
- Graduate Nurses (GN)
- Graduate Nurse Practitioners (GNP)
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
- Health Care Aides (HCA)
- Allied Health Workers
Law Enforcement Enrollment
Who attended from the law enforcement sector?
Employers of or organized labour representing:
- Police Officers
- Community Peace Officers (CPO)
- Sheriffs
- Correctional Officers
- Correctional Service Workers
- Groups represented under Indigenous Policing Arrangements (Tripartite Policing Agreements, Self-Administered, Enhanced Community Policing for Metis Settlements)
Paramedical Enrollment
Who attended from the paramedical sector?
Employers of or organized labour representing:
- Emergency Medical Responders (EMR)
- Primary Care Paramedics (PCP)
- Advanced Care Paramedics (ACP)
- Community Paramedics
- Registered Primary Care Paramedics (PCP)
- Hybrid (Paramedic/Firefighter)
- Communication Officers
Indigenous First Responders
The program included customized content for Alberta’s Indigenous first responders from Alberta First Nations Reserves, Metis Settlements and Municipal Affairs-recognized Townsites. Virtually delivered and in-person sessions occurred, and tools and content on Espri by TELUS Health for self-directed booster training were provided.
Indigenous First Responders Enrollment
Who attended?
- Council and Community Members who perform first responder functions on First Nations Reserves, Metis Settlements, and Townsites.
A First for Family Members of First Responders
The program is the first of its kind to extend FREE mental health training and PTSI resources to family members of Alberta rural firefighters, emergency health care workers, law enforcement, and paramedical personnel. Once a first responder has participated in the training, an of-age family member is eligible to access virtual delivery of the program. (Note: Indigenous peoples attending the training may select an of-age community member to be an authorized family member delegate.)
Family Member Enrollment
Who attended?
- Once a first responder has completed the training, an of-age family member is eligible to access virtual delivery of the program.
Why Is This Program Necessary?
The Impacts of Trauma Can’t Be Ignored
Alberta first responders are critical to the protection of communities by saving lives, protecting resources, and maintaining order – often at risk to self. First responders can, at increasing frequency and severity to other members of the general public, be repeatedly exposed to traumatic experiences in stressful situations which can take a significant toll on their mental health and that of their families.
The program provides self-awareness training and access to resources to help cope with occupational stress is vital to their health and wellbeing. And the program also promotes mental wellness, increases resilience, and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness. It provides a positive, supportive environment for first responders to access and participate.
The Need is Now: Psychological Injuries Among First Responders are at an All-time High
Data from WCB Alberta shows that over the past decade, the number of psychological injury claims in first response categories has increased dramatically.
Between 2015 and 2019, WCB recorded 685 claims for first responders related to post-traumatic stress injuries, totaling $104 million worth of treatment and compensation.
The number of claims soared during the pandemic and in 2021 WCB Alberta accepted 565 claims for psychological injuries from first responders.
The HR and Financial Tolls of PTSI are Significant
The toll on individual mental health caused by long-term exposure to traumatic events can be financially significant for organizations.
Resulting impacts for organizations can include: An increase in absences, staffing shortages, costs of benefits, insurance premiums, departmental overtime, and employee turnover; A decrease in employee engagement and morale.
Family Members Feel the Distress Too
Family members see the distress that the first responder may experience, and often experience mental health concerns themselves.
In a 2019 survey of 2,691 family members of first responders in Ontario, more than 43 per cent of family members were at least “somewhat” concerned that the first responder role had a negative effect on their family relationships.
Just over 50 per cent of family members were “somewhat” interested to receive support for their own resilience or well-being.
Family Training Objectives
- Gain insight into why The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) training is beneficial
- Identify how workplace stigma can impact mental health
- Practice using the mental health continuum tool to help recognize changes in mental health
- Explore how to open conversation and talk about changes in mental health as a family
A Tried and True Program for Team Members and Leaders
- Evidence-based content
- Facilitated by mental health professionals
- Specifically designed for non-urban First Responders
- Also available for family members
- Delivered virtually within an Alberta context
- Supported by an exclusive booster app
- Complimentary to other mental health support programs
Programs are ran throughout 2023 and concluded in Q4 of 2024.
Responding to the Call
Dedicated PTSI Training and Resources
The comprehensive program features an innovative combination of evidence-based, occupation-specific content and tools, including:
- MHCC’s The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) virtual training program
- Post-course booster training and self-management tools accessed through Espri by TELUS Health
What is PTSI?
The term ‘post-traumatic stress injuries’ (PTSI) is a non-clinical term that encompasses a range of mental health injuries, including some operational stress injuries (OSI), clinically diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression.
1. Instructor-led Virtual Training
The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) has been proven to improve resilience and decrease stigma in first responders. TWMFR consists of a series of instructor-led modules delivered over a two-day period.
2. Espri by TELUS Health
Espri by TELUS Health is a downloadable mobile app that provides booster training and supplementary PTSI content. Additional resources and tools in the app reinforce TWMFR training and help activate learnings to make self-care a regular part of work life, address operational stress injuries (OSIs), clinically diagnosed PTSD, anxiety and depression.
3. Specialized PTSI Content
Occupationally-informed, evidence-based content directly addresses prevention, stigma, management and recovery from PTSIs, specific to fire and rescue first responders. Content consists of both video and written articles.
4. Evaluation
A focused qualitative and quantitative evaluation of PTSI impacts offers occupationally-aware mental health training, resources and self-management tools to program participants.
Right from the source
Want more information on The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), Espri by TELUS Health, and U of C’s program evaluation?
TWMFR Website
TWMFR Overview pdf
Espri by TELUS Health
U of C Evaluation
What People are saying:
Paul McLauchlin
President, Rural Municipalities of Alberta
“As municipal first responders often respond to traumatic events in the rural communities in which they live and work, quality mental health supports are needed across rural Alberta. The new training being provided through the Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association will support rural first responders in addressing the real risk of post-traumatic stress injuries that may be experienced as a result of their essential roles in our communities”.
Micheal Pietrus
Director, MHFA & Opening Minds
“The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) is excited to be a partner in this important project. The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) course will make a meaningful difference in the lives of firefighters who take the training. We know from experience the program promotes mental wellness, increases resilience, and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness.”
Tyler Gandam
AMHSA Board Director
“As a first responder, municipal mayor, and Alberta Municipalities Director on the AMHSA Board of Directors, I support AMHSA in its leadership role of providing mental health services to Alberta fire services first responders living with or at risk of post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI). I encourage other municipal leaders to support the participation of its rural first responders in these sessions. First responder mental health is important now more than ever.”
Kathy Lepine
Chair, Metis Settlements Health Board
Metis Settlements Health Board Society welcomes the collaboration with Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association and Alberta Health Services to bring PTSI support to our first responders as well as community leaders and members who play such roles throughout the eight Metis Settlements. The Working Mind First Responder course for Metis Settlements is more vital than ever as our communities are heavily affected by the 2023 Alberta Wildfire.
Program sponsor
Program partners
Supported by funding from the Government of Alberta