First Responder Mental Health Therapy
Edmonton counselling for first responders, RCMP and veterans
Mental health therapy for first responders
First responders deal with incredible challenges every day, and inevitably facing situations that deeply affect their mental health. Unique pressures exist in first responder roles which require mental health treatment that accounts for those nuances.
Mental health therapy can provide a confidential and supportive environment to help you process difficult experiences, build resilience, and focus on your well-being so you can continue to serve your community with the clarity and strength you need.
Benefits of seeking mental health treatment
Challenges faced by first responders include
- Irregular, demanding work hours and shift work
- Frequent and unpredictable exposure to traumatic events
- The need for rapid decision-making in critical situations
- Stressors related to work-life balance and personal relationships
- Risks to physical safety and potential for injuries
- Burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and moral injury
Accessing mental health therapy can help with
- Difficulties with falling asleep, staying asleep, and nightmares
- Ruminating thoughts following a difficult call or incident
- Addressing low mood, fatigue, and burnout
- Managing feelings of anger and irritability
- Dealing with the stressors of complex organizational structures
- Treatment of PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Understanding occupational and post traumatic stress injuries
Operational stress injury (OSI)
Operational stress injury (OSI) encompasses any mental health condition that arises from operational stressors—such as shift work, potentially traumatic events, or staff shortages—experienced while serving in a professional capacity, particularly in the military or public safety sectors. It is not a formal diagnosis.
Post traumatic stress injury (PTSI)
Post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) is a term commonly used in the public safety personnel communities in Canada. It describes a mental health condition that arises from exposure to one or more potentially traumatic events. While it reflects the impact of these experiences, PTSI itself is not a formal diagnosis.
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the mental health diagnosis given when an individual experiences a specific type of traumatic event and symptoms persist over a prolonged period of time.
Moral injury in first responders
Moral injury refers to prolonged distress that occurs when an individual experiences or witnesses actions that go against their moral beliefs or ethicals. It arises in situations where a person feels they have violated their own moral values, or forced to engage in actions that conflict with their sense of the right thing to do.
Veterans mental health
Veterans mental health statistics
Mental health concerns are common among veterans. According to the Government of Canada Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Services Branch, as of March 2022
- 33% of all Veterans in receipt of VAC benefits have disability benefits for a service-related psychiatric diagnosis
- 70% of Veterans in receipt of disability benefits for a mental health condition have PTSD
Mental health resources for veterans
Veterans mental health hotline
Mind Beyond the Mission Podcast
Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families
Veterans Affairs Canada
VAC Assistance Line
For immediate support, call 1-800-268-7708 to speak to a mental health professional right now.
RCMP members mental health
RCMP members mental health statistics
How common are mental health concerns among membersAccording to the National Police Federation Report Behind the Badge published in February 2024
- RCMP members are six times more likely than the public to screen positive for any mental health disorder
- Compared to other public safety personal, RCMP members are almost twice as likely to screen positively for anxiety and depression diagnoses
- RCMP members are more than twice as likely to screen positively for post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder
- RCMP members are 3 times more likely to have contemplated in the past year compared to the general population
Mental health resources for RCMP members
EMS and paramedic mental health
Paramedic and EMS mental health statistics
How common are mental health concerns among emergency medical responders?
