Mental Health
Understanding our autonomic nervous system can help us stay calm, cool and collected through stress
Promoting mental wellness in public safety involves regular check-ins, providing resources, supporting those struggling, leading by example and recognizing signs of stress
Products to engage the senses and equip a comfortable, calming space
Kent Meyer, a 14-year paramedic veteran, started Project Hope after completing therapy for his own PTSD
Court documents said Mandy Meloon punched the paramedic, put him in a thumblock and tried to knee him in the groin
Over the past few years, there has been more awareness about PTSD and its effect on EMS providers
This exclusive PTSD screening quiz can help determine if your symptoms are consistent with those of the diagnosis
The man, reported as having schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, broke the ambulance’s rear window and fled the scene
A survey of more than 4,000 responders found that 6.6 percent had attempted suicide, which is more than 10 times the rate in the general population
Around-the-clock response capability is why EMS organizations exist, but individual EMS providers need to regularly go out of service to rest and recharge
The Polk County EMS Director said the demands of the job are leading to depression and PTSD for some responders
Hakeem Watkins was lifting a stretcher onto an ambulance when he suffered an injury to his spine
Recruits are educated about mental health from day one and the department is increasing its resource list for employees
Jason Skeldon said painting helped him relax and sleep at night
New discoveries in the relationship between a person’s genetic makeup and their chances of developing PTSD holds promise for firefighter health
Shannon Daniel is one of the founding members of the Richmond Ambulance Authority Critical Incident Stress Management team
Statistics show that 10 to 30 percent of fire and EMS providers will at one time or another suffer from PTSD
The state measure would guarantee access to a behavioral health counselor trained to deal with issues facing responders
Over 50 percent of responders believe their supervisor will treat them differently if they bring up their mental health concerns
I hope to one day not be judged, blamed and made to feel less than human for something that I am truly trying my best with
If you suspect someone is suffering from PTSD, let them know that you care
When team members do not mesh well, it can add stress to an already stressful environment
A segmented diagnosis is used for those who experience symptoms of complex traumatic events
There is a six-hour window of opportunity after a traumatic event where the video game can block the haunting memories from forming
I saw your parents in the waiting room and knew they were about to get the worst news of their lives
Stephen Moody said he reached a breaking point when his family and work stress were at an all-time high
By implementing a yoga curriculum that provides a skill set that is simple, safe and effective, responders can help manage their mental health
Critical incident stress management is a short-term, psychological first-aid intervention strategy that can help mitigate long-term mental health issues
A survey of more than 4,000 first responders found that 6.6 percent had attempted suicide, which is more than 10 times the rate in the general population
Ricardo Martinez was 20 when he got his first job as a 911 dispatcher; he quickly found out that the job wasn’t going to get easier but harder
The problem wasn’t being a paramedic, but how I was handling the job and the stress that came with it
