VANCOUVER, BC, July 30,
2024 /CNW/ - The Canadian Mental Health
Association, Vancouver-Fraser
(CMHA VF) Branch and BCAA are announcing a new partnership to bring
valuable mental health resilience training and pro-active support
to volunteer firefighters across the province.
In BC, many regions are served by volunteer firefighters who
work hard to protect our communities during local emergencies,
fires, and from the threat of wildfires, which can have lasting
impacts on their mental health long after the flames are put out.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, first
responders have a 4x higher risk for symptoms of psychological
disorders, compared to the average population. Yet, some have
limited access to resilience training.
Now, with support from the new BCAA partnership, CMHA VF will be
able to deliver its Resilient Minds® Building the
Psychological Strength of Fire Fighters training program to
firefighters who serve BC's remote and rural communities. Resilient
Minds® is an evidence-based, trauma informed,
peer-to-peer training program that helps first responders to:
- Recognize the effects of psychological stress/trauma in self
and peers
- Understand trauma-informed practices
- Communicate with peers who may be struggling
- Respond safely and appropriately to distressed community
members
- Apply personal strategies for managing stress, mitigating
trauma and boosting resilience
Judy Gray, Director, Mental
Health Promotion and Interim National Manager of Resilient
Minds® at CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch says, "The
psychological impact of putting yourself on the front line of
defending communities against wildfires cannot be underestimated.
As the need for mental health support continues to grow and become
more complex, BCAA's support means we're able to make critical
training and resources much more accessible to volunteer fire
departments across our province."
Shawn Pettipas, BCAA's Director
of Corporate Purpose explains, "Now, more than ever, it is
important to protect the psychological wellness of BC's
firefighters to enable them to defend against the growing threat of
wildfires. Our partnership with CMHA VF removes the cost
barrier of accessing mental health training for volunteer
firefighters in remote locations. For us, this is about supporting
mental health and providing firefighters the chance to access
critical mental health training and resources that they would've
otherwise gone without."
BCAA's partnership with CMHA VF is one part of its year-round
commitment to protecting the people and communities of BC through
programs and initiatives that help all of us to better defend
against wildfires and to protect the place we call home.
More about CMHA, Vancouver-Fraser branch
and Resilient Minds®
CMHA,
Vancouver-Fraser is a partner for
individuals, families, workplaces, and communities facing
challenges with, or recovering from, mental illness and/or
substance use. From prevention to recovery, CMHA VF delivers
programs directly to communities in Vancouver and the Fraser
Valley. Resilient Minds® is a program from
CMHA VF designed to enhance the personal resilience of first
responders and the collective resilience of fire services through
promoting a shift to a supportive, mentally fit culture. The
program has supported hundreds of firefighters across Canada to develop strategies to mitigate and
better manage occupational stress, mitigate trauma and boost
psychological strength, with a specific curriculum designed to
serve the unique experience and needs of different first responder
groups. Learn more at Resilient Minds.
About BCAA
Driven by its purpose to move British
Columbians forward, BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association)
is a long-standing BC Top Employer (Mediacorp) and provides over 1
in 3 B.C. households with industry
leading mobility and protection services including Membership,
Insurance, Evo Car Share, Evolve
E-Bike Share, BCAA Auto Marketplace and Auto Service. BCAA invests
in programs and initiatives to make a positive impact by protecting
the people and province of BC, recognizing that the place we call
home is all of ours to protect. BCAA holds itself accountable to
its purpose by setting goals related to its impact on People, the
Planet and Prosperity, and sharing results in its annual Impact
Report.
SOURCE British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA)