Building the Psychological Strength of Fire Fighters First
Building the Psychological Strength of Fire Fighters
First Responders are at Risk (BCPFFA survey, 2015; Carleton et al. , 2018; Heyman et al. , 2018)
Volunteer Fire Fighters are at Risk • Fewer formal trainings and supports • Jobs and careers may limit ability to seek help • Higher rates of depression, PTSD, suicidality • Higher risk for complex grief (Brazil 2017, 2019, Hom et al. 2016, Tuckey and Hayward 2020)
Program Goals • Recognize effects of psychological stress and trauma in self and peers • Use the 4 R Action Toolkit™ to support peers who may be struggling • Use a trauma-informed response with distressed citizens • Apply personal strategies to manage stress, mitigating trauma and boosting resilience
Transforming Workplace Culture
Modules to Build Resilience 1 Be Prepared and Proactive at all Stages of Stress and Trauma Self 2 Support Peers Using the 4 Rs Action Toolkit™ 3 Use a Trauma-Informed 4 R Action Toolkit™ with Citizens Peers Citizens 4 Self Manage Stress and Practice Personal Tools
Module 1 Be Prepared and Proactive at all Stages of Stress and Trauma
Module 1 - Objectives • Recognize stress as a building block of resilience • Develop awareness of the immediate and long-term effects of stress and trauma • Plan proactive strategies to mitigate stress and trauma
Resilience A process of navigating psychological, social, cultural and physical resources in order to sustain or regain wellbeing. (Adapted from Ungar, 2008 & 2011)
Resilience is Not… • Masking the effects of stress and trauma • Avoiding • Pushing feelings and memories aside • Sucking it up These actions prevent us from working through stress.
Resilience is… Stress Capacity to cope Buffer against future stress An innate human resource that can be learned and developed Built from adversity The ability to acknowledge and process stressors
What is Resilience?
Stress Occurs when people perceive that the demands from external situations are beyond their coping capacity. (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984)
Eustress/Distress PERFORMANCE Resilience Strain Urgency Over-engagement Loss of energy Challenge Burnout Stimulation Compassion Fatigue Vicarious Trauma Anticipation STRESS (Yerkes & Dodson, 1908) Disorder Feeling hopeless Isolation Blunted emotions Loss of motivation
Types of Distress Cumulative Stress “Burnout” Critical Incident “Traumatic” • Prolonged exposure • Abrupt or powerful event • Lack of adequate rest or relaxation • Perceived threat to physical integrity • Slow erosion of functioning • Sudden signs • Physical illness • Post-traumatic stress symptoms • Cynicism (CIPSRT, 2018 b; Mc. Steen, 2012)
Trauma/Critical Incident Stress • Overwhelming, threatening, terrifying, disgusting or unusually challenging events that disrupt usual coping abilities and have the potential to inhibit positive growth. • Trauma, like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder.
Your Brain on Stress PREFRONTAL CORTEX HIGHER REASONING THALAMUS AMYGDALA RAPID RESPONSE Ad Co ren (Charney et al. , 2017; Lertola, 2002) alin rtis o l
Alarm Response Fight Flight Freeze
The Fight, Flight, Freeze Response
Recognizing Distress • Negative worldview • Scattered/forgetful • Intrusive images Cognitive Emotional • Moody • Guilty • Isolated These are natural reactions to stress • Aches/Pains • GI upset • Fatigue Physical Behavioural • Avoiding • Substance use • Irritable
Your Body on Stress (Long-term) • Hair loss • Mouth ulcers • Eczema • Diabetes risk • Stroke risk • Heart attack risk • Lower bone density • Muscle spasms or twitches (American Psychological Association, 2020) • TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) • Erectile dysfunction/ impotence • Irregular menstrual cycle/ increased pain • Ulcers • Premature aging • Infections • Cancer
Long-term Effects of Stress on the Body
When Stress Becomes Disorder Psychological Disorder Work Stressors Personal Stressors Genetics Trauma (CMHA National, 2020) 1 in 3 Canadians Complex risk factors Psychological disorder is a medical condition
Risk Factors Pre-Trauma (what’s in your cup before a call) • Genetics • Unresolved trauma • Untreated psychological illness Peri-Trauma (what happens during the call) • Emotional responses (e. g. dissociation) • Repeated and/or intense exposure • Perceived life threat Post-Trauma (what happens after the call) • Lack of social support • Stress What actions could help decrease the risk? (Ozer et al. , 2003)
Nervous System at Work • When everything is working well, the alarm response is balanced by a calming response. • We can activate this calming response. Homeostasis Repair and Restore (Sinha, 2020) Fight Flight Freeze
Seeking Extremes 4 Off Duty On Duty Stress Level 3 Argument Road Rage Unhealthy Behaviours 2 1 Tired (Currie, 2017; Gilmartin, 2002) Time Isolated Apathetic
The Window of Tolerance 4 Stress Limit Stress Level 3 2 1 Homeostasis Time
Repair and Restore Sweat/ Steam Moderate Exercise Rest (Web. MD, 2020) Food Simple Health. Directed Actions Help Restore Homeostasis Connection Mindfulness/ Meditation
Resilience A process of navigating psychological, social, cultural and physical resources in order to sustain or regain wellbeing. “ Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. (Adapted from Ungar, 2008, 2011) – Gever Tulley
Module 1 - Objectives • Recognize stress as a building block of resilience • Develop awareness of the immediate and long-term effects of stress and trauma • Plan proactive strategies to mitigate stress and trauma
- Slides: 30