First responders experience disproportionately high rates of PTSD and suicide compared to the general population, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support and resources within these communities.
SHIFT Integrated Wellness is proud to assist agencies in nurturing their public safety personnel by implementing resiliency training, establishing peer support teams, facilitating annual individual wellness consultations, and connecting them with culturally competent service providers to enhance their overall well-being.
This approach is crucial for hiring and retention as it demonstrates an organization's commitment to the holistic well-being of its employees. By offering support systems and resources aimed at enhancing their overall wellness, agencies can attract top talent and retain experienced personnel, fostering a positive work environment conducive to long-term engagement and satisfaction.
-
A national best practice for First Responder Agencies Consults are defined as…
ANNUAL WELLNESS CONSULTATION: This consultation is a confidential service provided as a benefit to the employees and paid for by the Contractee. There will be no records kept, notes taken, or reports made; with the exception of the invoice necessary for verifying that the employee attended the appointment and thus reimbursement is due to the Clinician. During this consultation, employees will be provided information about common reactions experienced during their work, stress related symptoms and general wellness considerations. Employees will be able to ask questions about reactions and/or discuss concerns. General wellness issues and lifestyle choices will also be discussed, including career staged topics (ie early career, retirement planning). When appropriate, recommendations to improve adjustment and coping may be offered.
POST-INCIDENT OR STRESS RELATED WELLNESS CONSULTATION: In some cases, an individual employee may be in need of wellness consultation in response to a critical incident or based on identified stressors or concerning behaviors. The Contractee may mandate participation in wellness consultation outside of/in addition to the annual consultation requirement as a requisite to return to work after a leave of absence (i.e. administrative leave, extended bereavement) or in an effort to be proactive in addressing an identified concern. Such consultations are a benefit provided by the Contractee and are intended to provide opportunity for confidential, individualized, mental health education and support. Such consultations may include education about stress management, common trauma reactions, healthy lifestyle choices, and when necessary or desired: referral to mental health services such as psychotherapy or counseling. As is the case with annual mental health and wellness consultation, post-incident or stress related wellness consultation is a confidential service offered as a benefit to the employees of the Contractee. There will be no records kept, notes taken, or reports made; with the exception of the invoice necessary for verifying that the employee attended the appointment and thus reimbursement is due to the Clinician. Attendance/participation shall not be the subject of any documentation maintained in the personnel file.
-
Clinician will work closely with the Contractee in creation of Mental Health and Wellness content to support unique needs of the employees.
Clinician to provide mental health and wellness content for:
in-service training.
new-hire training.
family engagement workshops.
Mental Health and Wellness Topics to include (not limited to):
The stress response and ways to reduce the effects of chronic stress.
Suicide awareness and prevention
Substance mis-use, abuse, and dependance
Common mental health symptoms, diagnosis, & treatment
Burn-out, Compassion Fatigue, & Trauma
Navigating connections & relationships
Work/Life Balance.
Critical (or maybe not so critical) incident processing.
Overall physical and emotional well being.
Leadership training
-
Certified International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) clinician and culturally competent Qualified Mental Health Professional with extensive experience supporting established peer support teams, leading peer team operations, and guiding agencies in the development and implementation of sustainable peer support programs.