Our Alumni website is now live!
Co-chairs Phill and Amanda will be reaching out to past participants to warmly invite them to reconnect and join our alumni community. This year, we’ve been deeply moved by the ways our Alumni are giving back: In August 2024, Mike (Paramedic who attended TSRP program in 2018) shared his culinary skills, cooking dinner for participants, […]
What’s Up
Our Alumni website is now live! Co-chairs Phill and Amanda will be reaching out to past participants to warmly invite them to reconnect and join our alumni community. This year, we’ve been deeply moved by the ways our Alumni are giving back: In August 2024, Mike (Paramedic who attended TSRP program in 2018) shared his […]
Scent Therapy: A Holistic Pathway to Wellness
Aromatherapy, the practice of using plant-derived essential oils for therapeutic purposes, is increasingly recognized as a complementary approach to enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By tapping into the aromatic essences of plants, aromatherapy integrates natural compounds known as phytoconstituents, which have been shown to exhibit diverse therapeutic effects, including stress relief, immune support, and […]
How Specialized PTSD Programs Can Help Firefighters
As a firefighter, you are admired by your community for fearlessly putting your life on the line to protect others. You battle through intense flames, rescue those trapped in dangerous situations, and confront unimaginable trauma daily. But you’re also human, and those harrowing experiences can take a toll on your mental health. Unfortunately, many firefighters […]
Supporting Our Paramedics: Navigating the Challenges of PTSD
Paramedics are regularly exposed to potentially traumatic events, which increases their risk of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The occupational factors contributing to this risk cannot be underestimated, with mental health evaluations within EMS professions revealing an elevated vulnerability to psychological injury and a culture that impedes appropriate help-seeking. Beyond the personal toll of their […]
Mental Health Matters: Innovative Programs for Firefighters with PTSD
According to a 2016 report, 17% of Canadian firefighters grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a stark contrast to the 1% prevalence of the same condition within the general population. However, the actual figures may be higher among firefighters, considering the tendency of many of them, predominantly men, to be hesitant in seeking help or […]
Supporting Police Officers and Firefighters with PTSD
First responders, such as firefighters and police officers, often encounter traumatic events that can have long-lasting effects on their mental well-being. Professionals are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, enduring chronic stress, or cumulative trauma. According to a 2018 report, Canadian police officers are […]
Blue Line Podcast: Officer reintegration after trauma. The podcast with our Chief Mental Health Officer, Derek Sienko.
Members of law enforcement face traumatic incidents quite often as they carry out their duties. But how can we support those members as they return to work? In this episode of Blue Line, The Podcast, editor Brittani Schroeder is joined by Chief Mental Health Officer Derek Sienko and RCMP S/Sgt. Ray Savage will […]
First Responders: Occupational Health, Critical Stress and Wellbeing. An up-stream approach to creating healthy habits around self-care and early interventions.
Critical Stress and wellbeing in first responders has been broadly researched and scrutinised over the past few years. It is widely accepted that first responders are subjected to immense stress not only daily, but throughout the length of their service. In a recent article in the Washington Post (Klemko, 2022) being a Police Officer is […]
Unmasking Moral Injury: A Critical Conversation on Blue Line, The Podcast and our Chief Mental Health Officer, Derek Sienko
Moral injury, a concept often overlooked in the discourse on mental health, holds a profound impact on first responders and veterans. In the realm of law enforcement, its complexities are viewed through diverse lenses—officers, leaders, and clinicians each bringing unique perspectives to the table. Blue Line, The Podcast, in collaboration with Diversified Rehab, dives deep […]