Presented by:
Steve Fraser, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services
Development
Fire fighter
CISM Certified Instructor
Certified Traumatologist
CMHA Education team
Certified
Traumatologist
Clinicalcounsellors
Fire fighters
CMHA 12+ years
Community Educator
Master Trainer
CISM trained
Psychologist
Program objectives
• Skill-building focusing on:
• Psychological Trauma
• Psychological Distress and Disorder
• Workplace-Stress & Resiliency
• Increase awareness and build practices to recognize and repair psychological trauma
• Increase confidence and ability to respond promptly, safely and appropriately to self, co-workers and citizens
• Build psychological resilience for future stressors
“It’s very culturally-
specific. Great concept
and foresight. Very
progressive.”
Resilient Minds modules
MODULE 1
Psychological Trauma:
Recognizing and Understanding
(Self and Peers)
MODULE 2
Psychological Trauma:
Potential Risks and Strategies
(Responding to Peers)
MODULE 3
Psychological Distress
and Disorder
(Responding to Citizens)
MODULE 4
Managing Workplace Stress
and Building Resiliency
(Self and Peers)
On Duty Off Duty
ArgumentRoad
RageExtreme
Sports
Building Awareness
Responding to calls
Homeostasis Trend
Stress Limit
Str
ess
Le
ve
l o
f to
lera
nce
Building a Framework for Support
Self-help
Formal
Supports
Community
SupportsInformal
Supports
Neighbours
EFAP Program
DoctorChief
Friends
Pets
Family
Peer support Exercise & Nutrition
Coworkers
Leisure Activities
CISM
Activity Groups
Adapted from CMHA COMMUNITY RESOURCE BASE
Training Process
Train-the-trainer
(3 days)Resilient Minds
Master Trainer
Fire fighter
CMHA -Trained
Facilitator
CISM
Resilient Minds
Master Trainer
CMHA
Experienced
Mental Health
Educator
• Fire fighters
• Facilitation experience
• Interest in promoting
mental health
Fire Crew
Fire Crew
Fire Crew
• Flexible & sustainable peer
delivery
• Uses the simple and
intuitive ‘4R Action Toolkit’
• Trained as CMHA Resilient
Minds facilitators
• Ongoing CMHA support
• Access to Facilitator HUB
“Excellent course materials!”
Key findings from TTT modules
High ratings on
learning for content in
all four modules (rating
of ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot)
on most content.
100% recommend
that all firefighters
take the modules.
Trainers received high
ratings – ‘excellent’ or
‘very good’
Regions Trained
• Comox Fire
Rescue
• Oyster River Fire
Rescue
• Courtenay Fire
Department
• Campbell River
Fire Department
• Powell River Fire
Rescue
• Victoria Fire
Department
• Saanich Fire
Department
• Oak Bay Fire
Department
• Kamloops Fire
Rescue
• West Kelowna
Fire Rescue
• Kelowna Fire
Department
• Penticton Fire
Department
• Vancouver Fire and Rescue
• North Vancouver City Fire
Department
• West Vancouver Fire and
Rescue
• New Westminster Fire and
Rescue Services
• Port Moody Fire Department
• Surrey Fire Service
• Coquitlam Fire and Rescue
• Richmond Fire-Rescue
• Maple Ridge Fire Department
• Abbotsford Fire and Rescue
• District of North Vancouver Fire
& Rescue Services
• North Shore Search and Rescue
• Royal Canadian Marine Search
and Rescue
• Denman Island Fire Department
• Salt Spring Island Fire DepartmentPrince Edward
Island
VFRS Results
Arbor Educational & Clinical Consulting
Denise Buote, PhD, RCC, CE
Perceived Benefit
0
15
30
45
60
Somewhat beneficial Quite beneficial Very beneficial
Perceived Benefit of Workshop (n=110)
•12%
•38%
•50%
Responding to a colleague
0
7
14
21
28
35
Very true Quite true Somewhat true
I feel more prepared to respond to a colleague who is struggling with mental health issues? (n=67)
•22%
•42%
•35%
Responding to the public
0
7
14
21
28
35
Very true Quite true Somewhat true
I feel more prepared to respond to a member of the public who is struggling with mental health issues? (n=66)
•18%
•41% •41%
Module Findings
• 85% of course participants indicated high enjoyment as to the way the material was presented in the workshop, and 82% found the materials ‘very helpful’.
• 99% of course participants reported learning new knowledge about psychological trauma and/or mental health, with 81% of these individuals reporting learning ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot’.
• 94% intended to use the new knowledge and skills in their work and personal life.
• 92% of course participants were ‘quite likely or ‘very likely’ to recommend the course to other fire fighters.
Two to Four months after completing the Resilient Minds course, participants were invited to complete a follow-up survey.
Post course follow-up survey (2-4 months)
100% reported decrease in stressors
Stressors
Baseline Post-Resilient
Minds
Trend
Disruption of sleep (general) 3.71 3.25 Decrease in stressor
Disruption of sleep due work issues (e.g., shift work,
staying awake at night thinking about a run etc.)* 3.61 3.06 Decrease in stressor
Seeing the negative effects of stress on co-workers (e.g.,
illness, alcohol misuse, and burnout) 3.17 2.41 Decrease in stressor
Being exposed to anxious or overly demanding
coworkers or administrators 2.96 2.56 Decrease in stressor
Disruption of sleep due to personal issues (e.g., family
issues, relationship issues)* 2.94 2.59 Decrease in stressor
Thoughts about past runs that have been particularly
upsetting/disturbing 2.91 2.18 Decrease in stressor
Not eating a healthy diet 2.89 2.67 Decrease in stressor
Long commute* 2.88 2.11 Decrease in stressor
Working with a substandard co-employee on emergency
incidents or situations 2.73 2.49 Decrease in stressor
Feelings of isolation from family due to work demands
and stress 2.73 2.00 Decrease in stressor
Financial worries due to inadequate pay 2.68 2.30 Decrease in stressor
Concerns about serious personal
injury/disablement/death due to work 2.47 1.92 Decrease in stressor
Being concerned about not knowing enough about the
latest technology 2.33 2.21 Decrease in stressor
Being bothered by not being able to control or predict
events 2.29
1.97
Decrease in stressor
Dislike of routine paper work 2.26 1.95 Decrease in stressor
Conflicts with coworkers and team members 2.25 2.03 Decrease in stressor
Experiencing discrimination due to gender, ethnicity or
age 2.06 1.88 Decrease in stressor
Dealing better with stress
0 13 25 38 50
Yes
Sort of
No
Did Resilient Minds help you learn to better deal with stress?
• 65%
•30%
•5%
Survey respondents were asked how much they agree with the following statement: “As a result of the Resilient Minds training and resources, I feel better prepared to effectively recognize and respond to someone [member of the public] struggling with mental health problems.”
0
13
25
38
50
Very true Quite true Somewhat true Not true
Preparedness to Recognize and Respond to the Public (n=52)
17% 42% 41% 0%
Further to this, survey respondents were asked how much the agree with the statement: “As a result of the Resilient Minds training and resources, I feel better prepared to effectively recognize and respond to a colleague struggling with mental health problems.”
19% 44% 37% 0%
0
13
25
38
50
Very true Quite true Somewhat true Not true
Preparedness to Recognize and Respond to a Colleague (n=52)
Among those who indicated an increase in colleague support, comments included:
“People are talking/not afraid to discuss this issue. Fire hall officers ensure that crews are working out/allowed rehab time.”
“More people [members] are aware of mental health issues. More conversations around the kitchen table.”
“Positive morale around the halls with the return of sports, inclusive crew environment between all ranks.”
Using the Resilient Minds Material in Work and Personal Life
70% of survey respondents indicated that they have had a chance to use the information (information and skills) that they learned in Resilient Minds in their work life. A further 69% indicated that they have used the material in their personal life. Comments included:
“I think this course made me more aware of the mental health of my coworkers.”
“Breathing exercises when stressed.”
“Try to be more aware of negative/positive impacts individual days and build on solutions.”
“Mindfulness.”
“Paying more attention to what triggers me.”
“Make time for myself. Started kayaking.”
“I have a better understanding on what mental health problems look like. I feel more confident on how to help, and get the ball rolling.”
Program success, challenges and recommendations
Baseline survey participation: 54% of VFRS participated in the baseline survey, which provided a clear snapshot of current experiences
and challenges related to stressors as well as mental health and resilience training and education needs.
High acceptance of the ‘Resilient Minds’ course: Course participants gave the course high ratings both with respect to enjoying the
format and being likely to recommend it to others.
High learning and benefit from the ‘Resilient Minds’ course: Course participants reported learning a great deal about mental health and
resilience, both how they can use the knowledge and skills in their own lives and also to support others.
✦ Evaluation data collection: VFRS are asked to do many surveys on different topics. Fatigue related to survey completion may have
contributed to lower post-module and follow-up survey participation rates.
✦ Training time: Given the busy and unpredictable schedule of firefighters, having enough time to work in the fire halls to complete the
training was challenging.
• ‘Resilient Minds’ as part of new hire training: Embed ‘Resilient Minds’ into new firefighter training.
• ‘Resilient Minds’ full implementation: Ensure that all existing VFRS complete the four-module training and moving forward, schedule
refresher courses each year. • Ongoing monitoring plan: Implement a monitoring plan throughout VFRS to make informed decisions about prevention and promotion
supports and educational needs that would benefit members, and families. This could include brief check-ins with members as to topics
and supports that they see as promoting mental health.
To learn more about the program or to book a training,
Email: [email protected]
“Members that have
completed the training
continue to reference it
as some of the best
training they have
participated in during the
course of their careers.”
– Deputy Fire Chief Operations, Victoria Fire Department