This document discusses views on mental illness and strategies for addressing mental health issues among firefighters. It notes that joking about mental illness can discourage people from seeking help due to fears of being perceived negatively. The document advocates opening lines of communication by noticing changes in colleagues' behavior and checking in with them. It also recommends utilizing employee assistance programs, counseling, and critical incident stress debriefings to get help in a confidential manner without punitive consequences. However, it acknowledges that fears of job insecurity could prevent people from seeking help. The overall message is that the well-being of firefighters must be prioritized so they can best serve their communities.

1. Mental Illness Views..
 Emotionally weak.
 Bat-(you know) crazy. What’s their problem?
 Probably take a lot of drugs too..
 Little girl!
Keep in mind, when we throw these associations around, it might
cause a person that’s struggling to withdraw from talking about it. Fear
of perception will always win.
“ We’re just joking around. It’s different when it’s one of our brothers.”
People that are hurt won’t see it that way..

2. Talk it out..
 In the fire service, we know brotherhood.. It’s time to step it up and
ask questions when we notice a change in someone’s behavior or
personality.
 It’s equally as important for the affected to allow these questions to
be asked, and to be responsive. You don’t have to spill your guts
out about your personal life or struggles, but even just
acknowledging that something’s going on will start the process of
getting to the avenues of help.
 “That guy” that doesn’t seem to be phased by anything…ever, is
probably hurting somewhere inside. If not, where’s their heart?

4. Get some help.
 The Employee Assistance Program, Critical Incident Stress
Debriefings, and professional counseling, either by personal means
or city sponsored are a few avenues one could use when dealing
with depression or post-traumatic stress.
 Programs should be non-punitive and confidential.
 These programs should never be mandatory. Don’t force people to
talk, as they may not want to. It could make things worse.

5. Fear of reaching out…
 Many times, people will not admit that they’re suffering from
depression or post traumatic stress because they’re afraid of what
could happen next.
 It’s important to ensure job security if these programs are going to
be offered.
Pulled out
of work.
Go to
counseling.
Fit to return
to duty?
And on and on, see? It might be easier to just keep their
mouths shut than to potentially put their careers in jeopardy.

6. We have to take care of ourselves before we can be focused on
taking care of others. If our heads aren’t in the right spot, we’re not
being fair to the community that we swore to protect.