Originally posted: October 19, 2023 Mike Harnett is a Canadian industry expert in fatigue management. She presented at the 2023 BC First Responder Mental Health Conference “Sick and Tired: A Conversation About Stress, Fatigue and First Responders.”
The G.L.A.D. Method After a Heavy Week
Originally posted October 5, 2023 This was a heavy week for many VPD employees. For some more than others: you know who you are. Too much death. Look after yourself on your days off, do something just for you. Say it out loud and make it intentional. And try the G.L.A.D. technique at the end […]
Choose Courage over Comfort
Originally posted: October 3, 2023 Courage = + Vulnerability (uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure) + Clarity of Values (living YOUR values) + Trust (choosing to make something that is important to you, vulnerable to the actions of someone else) + Rising Skills (facing fear and getting back up if you fail) If you think you are being brave and you are comfortable – […]
Did You Know? Departing with Distinction
Originally posted: October 30, 2023 There are a lot of great things about working at the VPD: it’s our home away from home and we’ve developed friendships and shared experiences that will last us a lifetime. We chose a life of service that involves dealing with other people’s suffering, attending traumatic events, working long hours […]
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Originally posted: September 14, 2023 It’s not an easy topic to discuss, but it is essential we all talk about death by suicide. Suicide is complex and often has many contributing factors — including trauma from first-responder work. The Ontario Coroner’s Report Staying Visible, Staying Connected, For Life recognized three commonalities in the nine police officer suicides […]
You Learn Something New Every Day
Originally posted: September 7, 2023 Today, with the help of a brand-new recruit, on day one of his policing career, I pieced something together that I just hadn’t fully thought through before. They advised that registered clinical counselors (RCCs) cannot formally diagnose mental health conditions. I believe that is one of the reasons why psychologists […]