First Responders: Reducing Stigma, Providing Aid

“I’m Joe, and I’m here to help.” Those words are from an Eagan Police Officer who went to Mental Health First Aid—an eight-hour course created by Fairview. In a YouTube video, the officer talks about attending the workshop, what he learned, and how that knowledge paid off a few weeks later while handing mental health call.

Here's the story in Joe's own words: "When I took the class, I came away with a new appreciation of how much the words we use matter on calls like this." Our first responders are on the front line of this issue and this Mental Health First Aid course gives responders the tools and understanding to aid them in their work.

Did you know?
One in five American adults lives with a mental illness. Approximately 85% of first responders have experienced symptoms related to mental health issues at some point during their careers. Nearly 40% of first responders said there would be negative repercussions for seeking mental health help at work.

For the first time, the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust is offering Mental Health First Aid for Fire & EMS, focusing on the unique needs and experiences of first responders. You’ll learn how to recognize the warning signs and provide first aid and support if a colleague, family member, or member of the community is experiencing a mental health crisis.

The class is being taught in two half-day sessions in two locations to allow more of our paid call staff to attend:

September 20-21—Fergus Falls
November 1-2—Windom

Visit our website for more information and to register. 


Up Next: Remembering Al Haynes

Stay Safe,
Rob

Duluth Police Canal Park Officers

The League of Minnesota Cities held its Annual Conference in Duluth during the last week of June. As part of the planning process, League staff met with the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) staff well before the conference. In addition to a walkthrough of the facility and a review of the schedule, the DECC staff suggested we check in with “their” Duluth Police Department’s Canal Park Community Officer. They gave us his phone number and email address, and the DECC staff told us this program of police outreach has been very successful.

Upon returning to St. Paul, I followed up and sent Duluth Officer Mike Jambor an email introducing myself, and I provided him with a brief outline of the conference. Twenty minutes later, I received a phone call from Officer Jambor. He wanted more information about the conference and explained that he and his partners were assigned to the Canal Park area, including the DECC. He said they work with the area merchants, hotels, restaurants, bars, visitors, and the DECC staff in planning and problem solving. He made sure we knew how to contact his unit if we had any questions or issues before or during the conference.

The first day of the conference, Officer Jambor came to the DECC and introduced himself to our staff and looked at the conference layout. That happened each day of the conference with either Mike or his partners walking through and introducing themselves. We did have a very minor incident where a man who appeared to be confused wandered into the lobby and then ran out of the area. The DECC staff notified the police department, who quickly found the man and got him the medical help he needed. And afterward, Officer Jambor got back to us with an overview of what happened.

The Duluth Police Canal Park Community Officer program is more than just public relations. It is also about increasing the police department’s situational awareness of what is occurring daily in what has become one of the top tourist and conference locations in the region.

Kudos to the Duluth Police Department on this outstanding and responsive program.

Up next: First Responders - Reducing Stigma, Providing Aid

Stay safe,
Rob