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There are a number of wonderful changes and transitions in my life, but even good things can sometime be stressful. Getting a promotion is a good example. I am going to step away from the blog for a bit to focus on some upcoming resilience trainings and developing a teletherapy practice. I’ll be back in…

NIOSH (https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2021/04/06/suicides-first-responders/)recently blogged about the high suicide rate among first responders and what could be done about it. While some suggestions for addressing the problem were presented, many are already in place (e.g., peer support). More needs to be done on the front end of responders and healthcare providers careers, along with support along the…

The cost to our economy for NOT addressing the mental wellbeing of all of us, let alone responders and healthcare providers, is astronomical. IF organizations can take the long view and recognize prevention and support pay positive dividends, they will actually not just save lives but money.

A recent study showed what most of us already know: the mental health of public health workers in under siege. Out of 26,174 stat, local, tribal and territorial public health workers surveyed 53% reported at least one symptom of a mental health condition in the past 2 weeks. The biggest culprit was being unable to…

A healthy social support system is the best protective factor against prolonged stress and friends are at the core. Friends are not only helpful for our mental health but our physical health. So who needs friends? We ALL do, if we want to be resilient.

Most of us hate change and will either run back to the way things used to be or race head long into an uncertain future. To effectively deal with any transition we must learn to “hang out,” for a time, in the space between an ending and the new beginning. What do you do in…

Our beliefs are the cornerstone of how resilient we are. It’s why it is the first resilience skill we teach. In times of transition many of our old ways of viewing the world will be challenged. And this can be a good thing where we can solidify those thoughts and beliefs that sustain us and…

Research has shown that rural fire/ems and law enforcement are typically undertrained in coping with mental health issues in their communities and in their own ranks. Limited resources, cultural barriers, and stigma all play a role. The One Tree Learning Institutes “on line” 5 resilience skills training (https://onetreelearning.org/services/) provides some “mental armor” to cope with…

The cultural divide that exists between civilians and military/veterans “tribes” is alive and well and exists between the first responder/healthcare community and civilians. And our current social unrest has only amplified that division. I am proud to work with student veterans, members of the One Tree Team and the responder and healthcare communities to close…

The pandemic has accelerated the need for the first responder culture to change. This is a “shout out” to some folks involved in that change.