June is PTSD Awareness Month – The Power of Purpose and Healing

A guest post by Public Safety Program Coordinator Lora Setter

For those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), having purpose aids in recovery. People that dedicate their lives to public safety are often called to it, wanting to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves. Treatment professionals recommend that for those who suffer from PTSD it’s important for them to keep working so they can benefit from “the power of purpose.” 

For some, to keep working might mean having different job duties for a time or having a modified work schedule. It definitely means being in a highly supportive culture where emotional well-being is paramount.

You can find information about helping staff to keep working or getting them back to work in the Creating Supportive Work Environments section of the PTSD and Mental Health Toolkit. 

I recently participated in two trainings that can help to promote cultures of emotional well-being. “Shield of Resilience” from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) is a training for police officers and “MnFIRE Emotional Wellness Training” from the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) is a training for firefighters. Below is information about each:

Shield of Resilience Training Course
The Shield of Resilience Training is a free online training that takes about one hour to complete. It addresses the unique stressors that law enforcement officers are exposed to, as well as:

• How to recognize the signs and symptoms of acute and chronic stress, depression, and PTSD.
• The signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation and how to talk with a fellow officer who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
• How to facilitate peer-to-peer behavioral health support.
• The resources and support tools that help build resiliency.
• Where to find help and support.

MnFIRE Emotional Wellness Training
MNFire’s Emotional Support Training is offered both online and in person. This course discusses how the stresses of being a firefighter can negatively impact mental health. It debunks the stigma that those who suffer from mental health injuries are weak. This class will help destigmatize talking about mental health in your department, as well as provide practical information around how to properly debrief after a difficult call with your team, ways to maintain emotional well-being, and resources available for those who need help.

In the next issue of Minnesota Cities magazine, League of Minnesota Cities Executive Director Dave Unmacht shares his thoughts about the importance of supporting employee well-being, and Jordan City Council Member Amanda Schuh writes about what city councils can do to support the mental health of public safety personnel in their communities. 

It’s been a tough time. Going forward, let’s work together to promote supportive cultures of emotional well-being for our public safety employees. Let’s find ways to help those suffering from PTSD to keep working, so that we can help them heal. 

Up next: The National Decertification Index (NDI)

In the meantime, be well -
Lora