PTSD Resource Toolkit
First responders are at least twice as likely to suffer from PTSD. There’s no need to suffer in silence. The help you need is here. This website offers resources and services for the First Responder community to understand the various steps of a PTSD program from managing a crisis through to implementing best practices into an existing program.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by witnessing or experiencing actual or threatened death, serious injury or violence. Being affected by these types of events is normal, however if the thoughts or memories of these events start to seriously affect the life of the person long after the event, that person could be experiencing PTSD. Signs that someone may be experiencing PTSD include nightmares, uncontrollable memories, persistent fear and severe anxiety.
This site is designed to help employers establish a PTSD Prevention Plan and Program. The PTSD Toolkit of resources is launched by the Public Services Health and Safety Association and will serve as the leading Ontario resource for providing information on PTSD through existing channels tailored to the needs of each first responder sector. This site will include tools to help identify when a first responder might have a problem, where to seek help, best practices for employers and a source for ongoing news and events related to PTSD and mental wellness. Tools will be selected and made available for both employers and workers.
Visit First Responders First
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Information For First Responders in Mental Health or Addictions Crises
By Forward House Community Society
Download Free Manual for First Responders
This document is intended for use by first responders to a mental health crisis, who may include the following:
I Emergency Services RCMP Ambulance Fire
II School Faculty
III Religious Leaders
IV Workplace Administration
V Private Individuals
By Forward House Community Society
Download Free Manual for First Responders
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A Guide for Early Responders Supporting Survivors Bereaved by Suicide
By Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network
Download Free Guide For Early Responders (will download to ‘Downloads’ folder on your computer)
“There are always two parties to death; the person who dies and the survivors who are bereaved. Unfortunately, many survivors of suicide suffer alone and in silence” (Wolfelt, 2007)
- Death by Suicide: How Is It Different?
- Sudden Loss: What Survivors Feel
- Stigma of Suicide: What’s In A Word?
- Understandable Emotions: Offering Support
- What To Say: Helpful Ways To Communicate
- Assessing for Risk of Suicide: Is The Survivor at risk of Suicide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Compassion Fatigue: What About You
Early responders play a vital role in supporting people who have lost someone they care about, someone they know who has died by suicide.
Suicide loss is profoundly different than other loss and grief in that it is a intentional act that can have crippling effects for the family, friends and other survivors.
Suicide is recognized as an important public health problem and a major source of preventable deaths worldwide. One of the most responsible and compassionate actions is to encourage the survivor to reach out for help. It is
important that all family members be provided with adequate care and support. Many people die each year by suicide… it is a complex, multi—faceted problem leaving some survivors who have a loved one die by suicide with their life as they knew it changed forever Suicide can affect survivors in many life areas including having biological, psychological, social and spiritual impact.
The Purpose of this Guide:
This resource is intended primarily for Early Responders such as: Police, Ambulance, Firefighters, Emergency Personnel, Health Care Providers, Spiritual Care Providers, Medical Investigators, and Funeral Directors who all have close and often immediate contact with survivors bereaved by a suicide loss However, other service providers may also find this information helpful in the work they do.
This guide offers information about suicide loss and will likely validate and enhance the many helpful things you already do The guide may also offer new insights and guidance on suicide alertness highlighting prevention and intervention resources available, since we know that survivors may be at greater risk of suicide as well.
In supporting survivors bereaved by suicide we acknowledge your vital and influential role. We hope that working together we can lessen the impact of this trauma, reduce stigma and support survivors in their process of healing and recovery.
Developed by the Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network in partnership with the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP). This guide was adapted from “Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss, A Guide for Funeral Directors” used as per Public Domain Usage Notice SAMHSA Centre of Mental Health
Download Free Guide For Early Responders
By Winnipeg Suicide Prevention Network
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A Resource For Police, Firefighters And Other First Line Responders
By World Health Organization
Download Free Preventing Suicide : A Resource For Police, Firefighters And Other First Line Responders
A Resource For Police, Firefighters And Other First Line Responders
Suicide is recognized as an important public health problem and a major source of preventable deaths worldwide.
For every person who commits suicide, there are 20 or more who will attempt suicide. The emotional impact for family and friends affected by completed or attempted suicide may last for many years.
First interveners, such as police officers, firefighters and other responders are often a first line resource for people who have significant mental health, emotional, or substance abuse problems and who may be suicidal. Yet, they are often not well trained in the signs and symptoms of serious mental illness, nor do they always know the most appropriate actions to take when suicidal behaviours are a concern.
Police officers, firefighters and other first line responders are increasingly called upon in situations involving mental health emergencies, such as suicidal crises. Consequently, they occupy an important role in community-based suicide prevention: by ensuring that persons with mental disorders receive appropriate mental health treatment, by removing access to lethal means from people at high risk of suicide, and by recognizing the suicide potential in situations involving domestic disputes or where potentially deadly force is exercised. First responders are in a unique position to determine the course and outcome of suicidal crises.
Download Free Preventing Suicide : A Resource For Police, Firefighters And Other First Line Responders
By World Health Organization