Beyond Mental Health Awareness
As first responders, we often talk about depression, anxiety, and PTSD, conditions fairly common within our profession. Given the stressors of our job, a high incidence isn’t surprising.
Read This ArticleA publication dedicated to the well-being of firefighters across North America and beyond.
Firefighters are aware of the statistics linking firefighter deaths to preventable diseases and illnesses caused by unhealthy lifestyles. One of the leading causes of firefighter deaths is heart attacks. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Bringing answers to the modern firefighter’s burning health questions, we aim to help firefighters identify and put into practice better health choices to increase your chances at a healthier wellbeing with disease and illness free careers and retirements.
As first responders, we often talk about depression, anxiety, and PTSD, conditions fairly common within our profession. Given the stressors of our job, a high incidence isn’t surprising.
Read This ArticleIt’s common to think that being detached is not so great. Detached people are considered cold, aloof and indifferent. We make assumptions that if a person is detached, they must be disconnected from their work, family, spirituality or other important elements of being human.
Read This ArticleNeuroscientists would argue that risk-takers behave more irrationally... no matter how great the risk to self. Do you have a “lizard brain?” Well, you sort of do. The more primitive parts of the human brain — the brain stem, cerebellum, and basal ganglia — are shared by lizards and humans. Charmingly, humans and lizards both inherited these parts of our brain from fish.
Read This ArticleHis toothbrush is by the sink. Her sandals are by the door. They are part of our lives, but they aren’t here for days, weeks, or sometimes months, depending on their role as a firefighter (e.g., municipal, wildland, strike teams).
Read This ArticleAround the kitchen table, there is no shortage of advice. We listen in on the newest relationship conflict, the justification for questionable behaviors, and the self-righteous indignation we are all susceptible to as either the participant or the bystander. We subjectively define what is acceptable and rarely take the time to measure up our behavior to any particular standard.
Read This ArticlePeer support has become a hot topic lately, and for good reason. The peer-to-peer support model has been around since the late 1700s and has been used to help improve health outcomes and quality of life for a range of mental and physical health conditions, including asthma, cancer, diabetes, and substance use disorder.
Read This ArticleIn the world of firefighting, strength, bravery, and resilience are qualities that define these everyday heroes. However, there's an aspect of their lives that has often remained in the shadows: mental health. For many firefighters, acknowledging mental health challenges can be daunting. It's not uncommon to hear them say, "But there's nothing wrong with me."
Read This ArticleWhile it’s perfectly normal – and refreshingly human – to have moments when we feel less than completely confident, long stretches of self-doubt can signal self-esteem problems. And statistics show that low self-esteem is one of the most uncovered issues when we seek counseling.
Read This ArticleNo one ever argues against the concept of willpower: it’s a great tool to have in your shed. Wise self-regulation is key to many social and interpersonal relationships, keeps us out of trouble, and can determine how well we do at reaching long-term goals.
Read This ArticleIt’s very difficult having so much responsibility. What is yours? What is not? For all the lives and property you save, for all the people you help, it is often that one that you couldn’t save, or whose outcome was dire, that brings guilt into your heart. It’s hard to shoulder the weight of having someone’s life or livelihood in your hands.
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