About Uniformed Personnel & First Responders
Work-related mental health issues are prominent in most work environments, but disproportionately affect many uniformed personnel and first responder occupations.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association (SAMHSA[1]), it is estimated that 30 percent of first responders develop behavioral health conditions including, but not limited to, PTSD, as compared with 20 percent in the general population.
In 2018, Statistics Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Veterans Affairs Canada, and the University of Manitoba, conducted a follow-up study of CAF members who were participants in a survey in 2002. This cohort of CAF members was re-contacted to see how they were faringMore than 4 in 10 members of this cohort (44%) said they had experienced symptoms consistent with depression or an anxiety disorder at some point during the period between 2002 and 2018, and one-quarter (25%) experienced symptoms consistent with both. [2]
These alarming statistics highlight the importance of providing support and services to uniformed personnel, first responders, and front-line workers. This demographic covers a wide range of people including:
- Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, emergency room staff, etc.)
- Veterinarians
- EMT’s and paramedics
- Firefighters
- Military personnel
- Police officers
- Detectives and criminal investigators
- Special constables
- Enforcement officers
- Corrections officers
- Probation officers
- Security guards
- Border patrol security
- Airport security personnel
- Air traffic controllers
- Emergency dispatchers
- Hazardous materials removal workers
- Other frontline service providers in work settings commonly involving high intensity interactions (child welfare/protection enforcement, inner-city client support, etc.)
- Therapists
- Crisis line workers
- Veterans, retirees, and post-exit personnel from the above professions
- Family members of the personnel in the above professions
We are here to help!
Our team of sought-after field experts, knowledgeable therapists, as well as experienced leadership and workplace relationship specialists are here to support first responders or uniformed personnel in the following areas:
- Individual counselling in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and alcohol or substance use
- Family and couples counselling
- Assessments
- Wellness and prevention
- Traumatic incident and crisis care
- Return to work preparation and management
- Cognitive and mental performance enhancement
- Veterans and post-exit care
Insight’s priority is first and foremost on you. We take a holistic approach to caring for your multiple dimensions of wellness as they are interrelated and impact your ability to successfully cope with life stressors.
For Employers
Insight Corporate Care (a subsidiary of Insight Psychological) is also here to provide support, training, and guidance for employers with staff at high risk for work-related PTSD, burnout, compassion fatigue, and other mental health issues.
Prevention of work-related PTSD and other mental health issues includes:
- A sound organizational and psychosocial work environment
- Systematic training for employees
- Social support from colleagues and managers
- Proper follow-up with employees after a critical event
At Insight, we believe there is no shame in mental illness. We applaud you for taking action and making a choice to improve your mental health or that of your staff. We are honoured to support you (and your team) on your journey to optimizing your life. Contact us to learn more.
[1](2018). Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/dtac/supplementalresearchbulletin-firstresponders-may2018.pdf
[2]The Daily — Canadian Armed Forces members and Veteran Mental Health Follow-up Survey, 2018. (2019). Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190423/dq190423d-eng.htm
