Supporting Psychological Health in Alberta's First Responders
Building Sustainable Mental Health Programs for Stronger Communities
Ensure that your first responders and their families get the mental health training and support they need, when they need it. This free, 5-day “Train the Trainer” course certifies leaders in your community or organization to deliver The Working Mind First Responders (TWMFR) program and Family Package sessions.
Empower your leaders, first responders, and first responder families with sustainable mental health programs in your communities.
The Need for Ongoing First Responder Mental Health Support
Among fire and rescue, paramedics, emergency health care workers, and police services personnel in urban, remote, and Indigenous communities who took The Working Mind First Responders mental health program, survey results show that, unfortunately, the positive changes are not sustained long-term. Three months after completing the program, many first responders reported:
A return of increase to negative stigma towards mental health
Decreased resilience with mental health setbacks
A decrease in certain self-care activities and mental health awareness
These trends demonstrate a need for consistent mental health resources, support, and training for first responders and their families, while stigma, fear of potential career impact, and the lack of available refresher training are barriers to long-term mental health improvements.
Become a Certified Facilitator of
The Working Mind First Responders Program
This “Train the Trainer” course enables you to deliver the evidence-based The Working First Responders program directly to your organizations and communities, whenever and wherever it’s needed, enhancing the sustainability of positive changes in first responder mental health.
Throughout this course, you will learn the five skills of being a The Working Mind First Responders facilitator through a blend of group discussions, exercises, workbook activities, and hands-on practice sessions. You will also complete pre-training and post-training components, in addition to a final practical and written assessment.
A Lead Facilitator will provide coaching and feedback, ensuring you gain the necessary skills and tactics to create engaging learning environments, deliver helpful feedback, and effectively teach The Working Mind First Responders Primary, Leadership, and Families programs.
Goals of FCT program
- Apply adult learning principles and strategies
- Facilitate The Working Mind First Responder course topics in virtual and in-person environments
- Give and receive helpful feedback
- Address course administration and logistical requirements
Course Session Outline
- Facilitating the Course Curriculum (self-paced)
- Creating a Welcoming & Safe Learning Environment
- Foster Engagement & Active Learning
- Assessing Learning & Delivering Feedback
- Facilitator Requirements
5 Day Course
Virtual Instructor Led Delivery
8-12 Participants Per Class
Digital Credential Upon Completion
Have a Question? Want to Apply?
Reach out and our team will be in touch as soon as we can!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply for this program?
This program is ideal for first responder leaders, supervisors, and managers, or those who have already taken the TWMFR Primary and Leadership courses. Participants must be a resident of Alberta and commit to delivering a minimum number of courses per year.
Are there requirements to be able to take this course?
To qualify for this training program, applicants must meet the following:
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Be a resident of Alberta.
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Frontline experience as a first responder and/or experience in frontline response.
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Experience supporting mental health or well-being at work or in the community.
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Ability to lead group discussions for groups of 8 or more.
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Be able to commit to delivering a minimum of two courses per year.
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Positive attitude towards people living with mental health problems.
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Driven to reduce stigma/discrimination associated with workplace mental health.
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Training or facilitation on topics related to mental health and/or substance abuse is an asset.
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Proficiency in PowerPoint, a valid email address, a strong internet connection, and access to a computer.
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Knowledge of virtual delivery platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
You will also be asked to provide formal application, a Letter of Support and sign a particpant agreement. Visit the Registration page for more details.
Is there a cost?
No. This program is free, offered in partnership with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. We are aiming to train 48 licensed TWMFR Facilitators in municipalities and organizations.
How do I apply?
All of the details for application are on the Registration page.
How long does the application process take?
From submitting your application to booking you into a course can take 8-10 weeks. Please plan ahead!
Will sessions be grouped according to discipline?
While best efforts will be made to create discipline-based sessions for tailored discussions, this will depend on the applications we receive. Please note that you may be placed in a session with mixed first responder disciplines.
What if I cannot attend the training?
You are required to attend the training or provide a backup resource. This backup resource must have applied to this program and been preapproved prior to changing to the backup resource.
If you or your backup resource do not attend or drop out part way through, you are responsible for immediately paying the full cost of the training as laid out in your signed Participant Agreement. As this is a limited program (48 participants) sponsored by the Government of Alberta public funds, we are accountable for ensuring that these funds are used ethically and responsibly.
Is there an in-person delivery option?
To ensure that the maximum amount of facilitators are training with the grant dollars, all training will be provided virtually over Microsoft Teams, Zoom or equivalent.
If you have a large group (8-12) and are willing to pay for all travel and hosting costs for the 5 day training, please contact Chris Crowle to discuss further: [email protected]
Certified Faciliator Sessions for Indigenous Communities
Participants will learn the same skills to become a certified TWMFR and Family Package facilitator, while discussions and topics will address the unique situations and challenges of Indigenous First Responders in Alberta.
The Working Mind First Responders Program
The unfortunate reality is that many first responders will experience post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) because of the difficult situations they face on a daily basis. PTSI not only has an impact on their mental health and wellbeing, but also their families and communities.
The Working Mind First Responders is a comprehensive, evidence-based program designed to aid prevention and recovery of PTSI for Alberta first responders and their families in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities.
What are the benefits for First Responders?
Increase Mental Health Awareness
Reduce Stigma
Improve Resilence
Learn Healthy Coping Strategies
Testimonials
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
Funding provided by the Government of Alberta via the Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders (SPHIFR) grant. For more details, please click here.