Last year, 39 first responders across Canada took their own lives — and one-third of those deaths by suicide occurred in British Columbia, the highest among all provinces

First responders deal with traumatic events repeatedly, and on a scale unimaginable to those outside of emergency services, writes Michael Smyth (The Province), and that included Surrey firefighter Kevin Hegarty, who died by suicide in March 2015 after battling post-traumatic stress disorder.

Kevin Hegarty, 53, was an acting captain and had been with the Surrey Fire Service for nearly 20 years

Hegarty, 53, was an acting captain and had been with the Surrey Fire Service for nearly 20 years. During his career he advocated for mental health, worked with the B.C. Burn Fund and assisted the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society.

“Kevin was a champion advocate for mental health,” Surrey Fire Fighters Association President Mike McNamara said, speaking for the family after the service. “He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and in the end he lost his battle,” McNamara said.

Pressure is building on the B.C. government to strengthen worker-compensation coverage for first responders diagnosed with PTSD.

“First responders are being mentally injured on the job but they can’t get help and they’re taking their own lives,” said Lisa Jennings, a former paramedic who became homeless during a lengthy fight with WorkSafe B.C. Jennings says she suffers from PTSD after her exposure to multiple horrors during her years on the front lines. “I went out on calls that were so bizarre and shocking that I now have a 24-hour film playing in my mind of every gruesome call I’ve ever done,” she said.  — The Province, February 28, 2016

Victoria paramedic Lisa Jennings wants PTSD recognized as a work-related hazard for first responders
(image credit: Adrian Lam, Times Colonist)

A paramedic for 24 years, Lisa Jennings has been unable to work since June 24, 2014, after a routine call that went awry triggered a mental-health breakdown that included suicidal thoughts and flashbacks to her most horrific calls.

Jennings, 50, filed a claim for compensation with WorkSafe B.C., saying her PTSD was job-related. WorkSafe B.C. has so far denied her claim, saying her primary psychiatrist did not diagnose PTSD. She has requested an appeal and submitted an independent medical report by a psychiatrist who found she has significant PTSD symptoms.

Education and awareness initiatives

A new program aimed at preventing the tragedy of first-responder deaths by suicide was launched early this year at Simon Fraser University. The program will be delivered as a series of online part-time courses beginning in the fall of 2016. Applications are currently being accepted.

The Tema Conter Memorial Trust is Canada’s leading provider of peer-support, family assistance, and training for public safety and military personnel dealing with operational stress and PTSD. The organization offers a wide range of programs including peer support and training.

Image from a Tema Conter Memorial Trust launches Heroes are Human Resiliency event
(image credit: Danielle Marr, Caledon Enterprise)

SAJE Wellness and Transition offers counselling, coaching and education related to trauma (and other needs) and is hosting an awareness event on June 13, 2016 for Vancouver Island first responders and others, focused on self-care for first response personnel. SAJE offices are located in Victoria, B.C.

We speak with registered clinical counsellor Michael Sorsdahl of SAJE Wellness and Transition.

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audio | #ptsd #trauma #compassionfatigue #awareness #support SAJE Wellness & Transition | https://t.co/Ku1vXtmmFb pic.twitter.com/xJzTnvbJTz

— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) June 9, 2016