Warning: Becoming A First Responder Carries Risks to Your Mental Health

I am prompted to write this article as a result of the recent and tragic suicides of several RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and OPP officers (Ontario Provincial Police).

First responders are at least twice as likely to suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress). Every job occupation carries some degree of stress. For First Responders that level of stress is much higher than what is found in most occupations. Therefore, there needs to be a change in practice at the recruiting level first. Resiliency training is not enough.

We need to be completely honest with candidates that the occupation they are about to embark on does come at a cost to individual and family mental health. Being informed increases one’s ability to be vigilant about one’s own health status. I am suggesting we have a warning attached to application forms outlying the effects of ongoing exposure to traumatic events. We provide warnings for continued exposure to cigarettes and alcohol. Why not for this group of First Responder candidates. That openness is essential for insuring the livelihood of potential candidates. We would do this in a manner that is honest and backed up by current research.

Not only do we need to sensitize and educate first responders to the mental health issues that exist for their clients but also those mental health risks they will face. Examples would be vicarious trauma, depression, anxiety, risk for addictions, anger management issues, partner abuse, child abuse, unprofessional and inappropriate conduct, alienation, suicidal and homicidal ideation. The list goes on.

In addition to being forthwith and educating first responder candidates about their own health risks, it would be proactive to review every First Responders’ mental health at least twice a year. We have psychometric tools at hand that are self-reporting and very accurate. For this to happen there would need to be a lot of work done on changing the management culture so that this process could be viewed as helpful and positive. A way if you will, to inoculate First Responders to the effects of trauma.

I recently arranged a meeting with a RCMP Superintendent to advocate for my client, who had retired to secure funding from the service to send my client to the Edgewood Health Network’s Concurrent Trauma & Addiction Program (CTAP). A program designed for members of Canadian Forces and Veterans Affairs Canada, RCMP and First Responders for the treatment of Concurrent Trauma & Addiction. The Superintendent explained that an answer, if any, would involve a lengthy bureaucratic process. Ultimately, we never received an answer regarding funding. As a result I would encourage the RCMP to embrace CTAP as a viable intervention and fund referrals.

Like many I too have lost a loved one, a First Responder to suicide. I hope that this article is helpful and contributes to the ongoing discussions around intervention and support.

Raymond Pidzamecky M.S.W. RSW has worked with PTSD clients for 30 years as a therapist. He has in past been a probation officer, worked in jails and sat on the Committee of Youth Officers for the Province of Ontario for 8 years as a civilian