As leaders

leader supporting firefighter woman

Create a safe, supportive environment for those experiencing mental health challenges by creating a workplace where it’s OK to talk about mental health.

Here you’ll find a variety of templates, management tips and toolkits that offer support for leaders and managers of first responders, and assist those experiencing mental health challenges.

The use of this website does not constitute the provision of medical advice. If you require medical or psychological assistance, kindly seek the assistance of a medical professional, visit the closest hospital emergency department or call 911.

The use of this site indicates acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms of this disclaimer.

Creating your programs

Evaluating wellness products and services intended for public safety personnel

There has been an increased focus on the health and well-being of public safety personnel (PSP) in recent years; …

Developing a peer support policy

Employees in first responder organizations can benefit from the hope and recovery that peer support programs can provide. Workplace-based …

Organizational mental health check

First responders are often at the scene of stressful or traumatic events that can have an immediate, cumulative, and …

Making the business case

One of the biggest hurdles in supporting mental health in first responders is getting an organization’s leadership to make …

Overview of peer support programs

First responders attend calls and witness events that can cause them to experience strong emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioural …

Critical incident stress management

After a traumatic experience, the first point of contact for any public safety person should be a trained Critical …

Mental health policy template

A commitment to positive mental health benefits everyone in the workplace. It improves morale and results in lower absenteeism …

Logic model guide

This guide is reproduced from a portion of the document titled Supporting Effective Evaluations: A Guide to Developing Performance Measurement …

Logic model template

The template provided here is based on the logic model outlined in Supporting Effective Evaluations: A Guide to Developing Performance …

Mental health resource list

A template for supervisors and line managers for keeping track of resources available to employees. To read more, download …

Stay at work / return to work

Stay at work/return to work package

When an employee experiences a mental health condition, it can be difficult to continue working as usual. However, being …

Employee role in stay at work/return to work

Unsurprisingly, employees play the most important role in ensuring they can remain in the workplace if they have difficulties …

Supervisor role in stay at work/return to work

Supervisors (including line managers) play an important role in facilitating safe and effective work accommodations. Supervisors with positive leadership …

Co-worker support in stay at work/return to work

When an employee has been off work due to a mental health condition, co-worker support can mean the difference …

Risk factors for work disability

Work disability refers to the loss of some or all functional workability and activity consequent to impairment. While a …

Accommodation strategies for job expectations

First responders attend calls and witness events that can cause them to experience strong emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioural …

Communication log

Please use this log to record information shared and decisions made when assisting an employee who is off work …

Letter to health care provider

Dear health care provider, At [insert organization name here], we are committed to supporting the mental health of all …

Work ability assessment form

To download an editable Word document click here. To read more, download the work ability assessment form.

Supporting your employees

Mental health resource list

A template for supervisors and line managers for keeping track of resources available to employees. To read more, download …

Mental health practitioner directory

The following WCB accredited psychologists have agreed that the WCB may publish their contact information, so that workers or …

Posters

Dispatcher – 8.5 X 11

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Dispatcher – 11 X 17

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Firefighter 1 – 8.5 X 11

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Firefighter 1 – 11 X 17

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Firefighter 2 – 8.5 X 11

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Firefighter 2 – 11 X 17

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Paramedic – 8.5 X 11

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Paramedic – 11 X 17

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Police – 8.5 X 11

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Police – 11 X 17

Content adapted with permission from BC First Responders’ Mental Health.

Reach out

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There are several organizations dedicated to supporting first responders and their families with mental health issues. Find out what resources are available to you.

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Resources

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These resources will give you a better understanding of mental health in the context of the experiences and pressures of first responders, as well as the broader population.

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