Behind the Mask – Peer Support

Idon’t pretend to have all the answers, but I try to provide the answers I do have and get back to the person one way or another. Sometimes, this means some research is required, which requires going through reference and resource material, or it might require contacting another member of the Peer Support Team. At the end of it all, there is always a solution, and however it happens, members can rest assured that their Peer Support Team is well prepared, professional and will act confidentially and in the best interest of the member. “Do you have the name of someone I can speak with, I am having an issue with…,” is one of, if not, the most received question. I know that I can definitely make a referral to a professional. Often members prefer to have an appointment with someone close to where they live, so the Peer Support Team is well prepared with a plethora of vetted professional referrals who have experience with members of the fire service. Not only is it important for the Peer Support Team to be professional, it’s also important for a Mental Health Professional (MHP) to behave in this manner. There’s added value when a MHP has some familiarity with fire culture or with a diverse population and the diversity of issues that can surface for firefighters during a 24-hour shift, including sleep disturbance. Issues surrounding COVID are also very prevalent today, either for the member themselves, or for a family member. Always remember that those family members you designate as dependents through Green Shield

also have the same mental health benefits. This leads to another common question received, “Do my benefits cover these referrals and how much do I have?” This answer, and the answers to some other common and relevant questions, are outlined in Adina Kaufman’s article on the page following, so I will not detail them here. You might also be wondering, “Who’s good that you can recommend?” or “How do I select a mental health professional?” Some are new to the search for a mental health professional, others are known to have a regular check up from the neck up with someone they trust and can speak with openly and confidentially. No matter your question(s), your situation, it’s never too late to seek out help, and help is just a phone call away. So, when you decide the time is right for you, and you want to make that move for mental health assistance, give a call. We’ll be sure to get you started in the right direction so you can be on the road to better mental health for always.

Do you know a good mechanic? How about a plumber? We all know that when problems arise, like a car that won’t start or a pipe that bursts, it’s much easier to handle them when we already know an expert we can trust. The same is true for our health. That’s why most of us have a family doctor - someone who can proactively assess our health with annual physical exams, diagnostic tests to establish baselines, expert insight into our bodies and any changes within them, so that we can be treated effectively. It’s just as important to have a mental health professional – someone who can help us identify when we are facing mental health challenges and support us in addressing and managing or resolving them.

It makes sense for most people to understand that if they are struggling with significant life events or overwhelming feelings, that it is wise to reach out to a mental health professional. But ask yourself, how challenging might it be to seek out a clinician when you’re already in crisis? Ideally, you should have someone with whom you have already established a professional therapeutic relationship, before you find yourself struggling. Not only does that let you seek out the relationship when you’re in a ‘good place’, but it also lets your MHP get to know you over a period of time, so that they can help you identify if/when things change for you. None of us ever knows when things will change for us; life surprises us with sudden changes, and traumatic experiences are rarely ones we can see coming.

Unfortunately, many first responders do suffer from post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI); fortunately, these types of injuries do generally respond well to treatment. But they are not the only types of mental health challenges faced by fire service professionals. In fact, fire service professionals are just as likely, if not more so, to suffer from the same mental health challenges as the rest of the population. In any given year, 1 in 5 Canadians experiences a mental illness or addiction problem. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, 1 in 2 have, or have had, a mental illness. The nature of the work of firefighters, including repeated exposure to painful and provocative experiences and erratic sleep schedules, can pose significant risk to firefighters’ mental health. MHPs can help us manage anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI), substance dependency and other mental health issues. And, MHPs can also help each of us in our day-to-day lives by helping us understand our thoughts, moods, and behaviors, and suggest and reinforce strategies that help us manage them.

We have been living through a worldwide pandemic for over a year now, which has exacerbated many existing personal and societal challenges. The impacts on our home and work lives are far reaching, and no one is immune, including our family. Many of our loved ones, including partners, children and parents, are suffering through a loss of freedom, ongoing social isolation, frustration, uncertainty, anger and fear. As is stated by Wellness Together Canada, “As a country, we are facing challenges at a scale we’ve never seen before, from social isolation and financial insecurity to substance use concerns and racial inequality.” (https://wellnesstogether.ca)

1) City of Toronto Employee Assistance Program: The

City of Toronto Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, short term counselling (5 sessions), as well as an information and referral service for all City employees. Referrals through the City EAP can include contact for a 1-hour free legal consultation. Experienced professional counsellors are ready to help you with a wide range of issues 24/7/365, at no cost, by calling 416.392.6633.

Program: In May 2019, Christopher Rodrigues, M.C., C.Psych., joined Toronto Fire Services as our Employee Assistance Counsellor. He works with TFS half-time. While he does offer some individual counseling, his role is not intended to act as the personal counselor to all TFS employees but rather to offer no cost confidential short term counselling, information/consultation and referrals. He also acts as an ongoing significant resource and support person to the members of the Toronto Fire Peer Support Team. Chris can be reached at 416.338.9557.

Response Team: You can reach the Peer Support Team 24/7/365 at 416-338-9327. The members of the Peer

Support Team are all affiliated with TFS, as either active or retired employees. You can contact the main phone number or reach out to any individual member directly. Contact information is on the

TFS homepage as well as on the L3888 website (“Off the Job” link) where additional member background can also be found. All contact with the Peer Support Team (PST) is CONFIDENTIAL and will not be discussed with anyone, including TFS management,

TPFFA executive, L3888 members, or even other PST members.

The Team is also always available in a Critical Incident Response capacity to support crews and/or members. Captains have the discretion to remove their crew/apparatus from service after dealing with certain call types or situations. To access the Team for a Critical Incident Response, officers can reach out through Communications or call 416-338-9327(for more information about Critical

Incident Response see SOG G-CRIS).

Work), Psychotherapist: The L3888 Collective Agreement, clause 16.02, assures each member, and each family member under their coverage (i.e. spouse and eligible dependent children), the services of a Registered Psychologist, person holding the degree of Master of Social Work (MSW), or Registered Psychotherapist to a maximum of $3,500.00 per person per benefit year.

Some MHPs will be able to bill Green Shield directly, while others may require that you pay them and then submit your claim to

Green Shield for reimbursement. If you have any concerns about whether an individual’s fees would be reimbursed, you can call

Green Shield to inquire prior to booking your first appointment. 5) Psychiatrist: As with all Ontario residents, OHIP coverage is available for treatment by a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. They can prescribe medication and some use psychotherapy to support recovery. To access this care, you require a referral from your physician.

It is important that we work with a MHP who is a good fit for us personally. People often find that the first MHP they try is not the right one for them, and it is often recommended to talk to 2 or 3 and pick the one with whom you feel the best connection. This is one of the reasons why it is better to be able to find someone proactively, before the need feels urgent. So, how do you decide whether a therapist is right for you? Here are some questions you might want to ask your prospective MHP, such as: • Do you have experience working with fire fighters or other emergency responders? • How long have you worked in the field of mental health? • What evidence-based practices do you use to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, substance abuse?

Further, here are some questions you could ask yourself about your interaction with the MHP: • How do I feel when talking with the MHP? • Do I feel relaxed? • Do I feel I can be honest? • Do I feel that the MHP understands me and what I am trying to express? • Am I comfortable talking with this MHP and does the conversation flow well? These will aim to help you to find a MHP who is going to become important in helping you stay healthy and well, which is vital for you and those who care about you, at work and at home.

If you don’t already have a mental health professional, it is never too late to find one. There are many ways to identify one who might be right for you, e.g.: referral from your family physician; word of mouth from family, friends or colleagues; referrals from City EAP, TFS EAP, PST; Boots on the Ground Peer Support for First Responders 1-833-677-2668; Psychology Today ‘Find a Therapist’ (www.psychologytoday.com).