Mental health programs need to be strengthened to combat increased stress among first responders, according to a study from West Virginia University.
(WVU illustration/Ira Burckhardt)
Managing traumatic situations is synonymous with first responders’ daily work, yet many mental health programs are lacking to help them cope with the increasing stress they encounter.that’s why West Virginia University Researchers have identified steps policymakers and local residents can take to support frontline workers.
“Because of the increased risk of suicide and other mental health problems,For first responders, we have a significant public health problem,” said Assistant Professor Michael Fisher. WVU School of Public Health Department of Health Policy Management and Leadershiphe led a study that analyzed mental health and first responders in one state.
“These issues rarely make headlines and do not always garner widespread support or funding. Policy makers and the public need to be informed about these issues so that policies, programs and resources can continue.”
As a result of their research, the researchers made five recommendations: One is to connect first responders with culturally competent clinicians. He establishes one or more centralized bodies for coordinating policy and program activities. Consider models for regional cooperation. Expand research and evaluation efforts for mental health policies and programs. Pass legislation to advance the coordination and implementation of mental health policies and programs.
Two federal proposals, the Combating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act and Helping First Responders Overcome Act, have yet to receive attention. But measures at the state and local levels show promise, and Fisher and his team hope to use them as examples.
“We wanted to investigate some of those activities,” Fisher said. “While we are seeing a dynamic landscape of emerging approaches to mental health prevention and treatment for first responders, neither the effectiveness of particular approaches nor the status of available programs, in some cases, programs that are not available. There is still much to be learned about the situation of the .” Available. “
Fisher focused his research on Ohio because it’s one of the few states with broad support for first responders. In 2021, a bill was passed to consider expanding workers’ compensation benefits eligibility for first responders suffering from PTSD. That same year, Ohio established a state-level office focused on first responder health to coordinate professional assistance and training.
This research community mental health journal, elicit perspectives on policy and programmatic activities of frontline staff. Joining Fisher in the study was Katherine D. Lavender, Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, School of Health Professionals, Towson University.
“We weren’t trying to quantify or evaluate aspects of policies and programs, but instead we were trying to understand the contextual factors that influence the development and implementation of policies and programs,” Fisher said. rice field. “Guiding his research, he had two research questions: First, how are Ohio’s first response communities advancing mental health policies and programs? What are the opportunities and challenges facing
From March 2021 to June 2022, the researchers interviewed firefighters, emergency medical services professionals, and law enforcement officers employed in Ohio. Their insights revealed increased mortality from work stress and paramedic suicide as factors driving the need for mental health programs and policies. At the same time, they said, reducing stigma about mental health will open the door for more people to seek help.
Most participants noted that their workload was often increased due to staffing constraints. In addition, situations such as violent crimes and drug overdoses increased stress. They were able to carry out their mission, but they recognized that it would come at an emotional, physical and spiritual cost. For example, these pressures can cause compassion fatigue, such as the physical and mental exhaustion and emotional withdrawal experienced by long-term caregivers of sick or traumatized people. I have.
Nearly all interviewees cited mental illness stigma as a concern for first responder occupations, but psychiatric stigma increased as colleagues, especially younger people, were more open to peer discussion. pointed out that it is declining. However, some first responders believe that acknowledging their mental health struggles will make them appear weaker or have work-related effects, and they say gaps still exist. said.
Participants said the size of the sector and jurisdiction affected the types of mental health support available. Program access ranges from extensive peer support to health-focused apps that connect you to resources. Smaller and rural sectors sometimes face strong programming barriers, while others rely on collaborations called Mutual Aid Contracts for Mental Health and from less formal resources. I am benefiting. Insurance coverage for receiving mental health treatment also reportedly varies according to jurisdiction size and resources.
Fischer plans to use the study as preliminary data for future studies and can focus on some themes raised by the participants that he believes require further research.
“We hope that this study, along with other research on the mental health and well-being of first responders, will raise awareness and help develop policies and programs,” Fisher said.
-WVU-
ls/05/22/23
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