Behind the Mask – Mental Health Resources

Letter from the Editor…

Lynn Sciberras

IIf we didn’t know before, it’s become increasingly evident through the pandemic that we need one another. As other city divisions are phased in with the return to the workplace, we in TFS have continued to run the course throughout the pandemic. In many facets, I think more often about what it means to be resilient.

We have certainly come a loooong way through this pandemic. We have been through all seasons with COVID-19, experienced highs and lows, know better what to expect, increased the vaccination population and continued to respond necessarily even though there has been much added stress. This to note, we have come to appreciate family and friendship, and to utilize support and the mental health network.

When I speak with friends and colleagues, I continually hear how they are excited that public places to gather and socialize are open again, and that they can get out of the house and celebrate friendship. As the city returns staff to the workplace, many are eager not to work, since we’ve been doing that all along. Rather, they are eager to gather and socialize again. When I am scheduled in the office and other colleagues are also there, I see the enthusiasm in the faces of others when they talk. In some ways, it’s like we’ve returned from an apocalypse!

While we work in teams, it’s known that it only takes one to support, provide companionship, save, collaborate, and befriend. I’ve used this example before and it’s a good one…if you recall the movie Cast Away, Wilson (a volleyball) becomes the main actor’s (Chuck Noland, played by Tom Hanks) only friend and companion through his deserted four-year journey (and it’s not even human). Although it only takes one, we all know that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Humanity hangs on to whatever it is that provides a source of hope. This is one aspect of resilience. Another source of resilience is having someone, or a network, to provide support, to help us get back on our feet. Much else is up to us. The adage, “where there’s a will, there’s a way,” applies and if the way cannot be found, get trusted support and a back up. Knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel is what provides this hope. We no longer need to feel alone. We have several resources to draw from and Adina does a great job in outlining an abundance of resources in her article below. So, as we re-open in this phase of the pandemic, strongly consider connecting with a suitable mental health resource in support of your life journey and your check up from the neck up.

People need people. This is a mantra that I repeat often with my adopted child. Though now a young adult, they learned at a young age, through unfortunate and unfair lived experience, that people were not to be depended upon and that extreme self-reliance was the way to survive. I have admired their resilience since the day I met them, and I continue to marvel at the strength they exhibit as they work to evolve past the lessons learned through trauma and embrace the complexity of a complete and fulfilling adult life. When I see them struggling and retreating into themselves, I remind them, ‘People need people, if we want to thrive, not just survive.’

Resources Resources

By Adina Kaufman, Toronto Fire Acting Captain, Station 133-D

As firefighters, we know what it is to work in a team, to depend on other people for our very survival. We know how to ask for help when it’s time to move homes (beer and pizza anyone?) or seek out a reliable tradesperson for any job. Yet, so many of us seem to find ourselves thinking we must do it all alone when we are struggling with issues of mental health and personal well-being.

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”

— Glenn Close

In our last issue, we discussed options to reach out individually to our TFS/TPFFA Peer Support Team, and/ or Employee Assistance Program, and the value of a personal relationship with a mental health professional. We all should have a ‘personal health team’ that includes a family physician, dentist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc. We cannot emphasize enough the value of having a mental health professional on your personal health team. Please see the last issue of Fire Watch for details on how you can find the right mental health professional for you. Some of us are lucky enough to have at least one person within our closest circle of family and friends who truly makes us feel seen and heard; a relationship where we can truly be open and honest about who we are. Some of us are lucky enough to have more than one such relationship, including a great rapport with a mental health professional. These types of 1:1 connections are invaluable. There is also tremendous value in connecting with people in larger groups, especially ones where there is common lived experience. There is much to be said for not having to explain things about one’s life and experiences, especially where struggle is involved, because the others already know the struggle first hand.

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” — Fred Rogers

We want to remind everyone of some of the great resources and groups available to us, within TFS, TPFFA, IAFF, and beyond. These groups and organizations offer different ways to connect with others for friendship, support and learning.

TPFFA Experience Groups:

TPFFA currently has three active experience groups for its members who identify as any of women, 2SLGBTQ+, black, indigenous and people of colour. These groups have an informal format, are peer-facilitated, and offer a chance to simply connect with other TPFFA members who share similar identity markers. The groups have no formal mandate, no defined agenda, and do not report to TPFFA leadership. You can watch for Union Notices announcing the next meeting and/or reach out to TPFFA Human Relations and Equity Initiatives Committee Chair, Ken Webb (webb@torontofirefighters.org), to be connected with one of the group facilitators.

Peer Support Team Support Group Discussions:

Your TFS/TPFFA Peer Support Team hosts regular webinars on topics that may be of interest to learn about in a group format. You can choose to simply listen anonymously or participate by asking questions and/or contributing to the discussion. For example, the most recent group discussion topic was hosted by TFS Mental Health Professional Chris Rodrigues and discussed “What is Psychotherapy?” These Peer Support Team group sessions are always announced via Union Notice.

Wounded Warriors Canada:

TFS and TPFFA have an established partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada to offer innovative mental health programs and services to firefighters and their families, with a particular focus on first responder occupational stress injuries. Group and family therapy is a specialty of Wounded Warriors Canada, including the option of animal-assisted therapy. Through this partnership, Toronto firefighters and our families can access programs including: group-based trauma programs, trauma resiliency programs, couples overcoming PTSD programs, animal-assisted therapy like PTSD service dogs and equestrian therapy, child and youth programs, and many more. For more information about this partnership, please contact Wounded Warriors directly (1888-706-4808) and/or Peer Support Team Member Dave Smith (das_051379@hotmail.com, 905-424-4407).

IAFF Centre for Behavioural Excellence Online Education Series:

The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery is known to offer treatment for successful recovery from post-traumatic stress and co-occurring addictions, and help IAFF members return to the job. It also offers an online education series for IAFF members, other first responders, healthcare providers, clinicians and the community at large. Some past topics have included Fire Family Dynamics: Promoting Healthy Home Lives, Healthy Relationship Building & Maintenance for Fire Service Couples, Equine Therapy for the Fire Service, Trauma in the Fire Service: A Discussion on Post Traumatic Stress, etc. You can view recordings of past sessions and see a listing of upcoming sessions at: iaffrecoverycenter.com → Resources tab → Event Schedule and Webinars

Addiction Recovery Groups:

Alcohol and substance abuse affect ourselves, our families, co-workers, and loved ones. You don’t have to suffer alone; there is help available. These groups give hope to those that are stuck in addiction and show them that there is a way out, while offering ongoing support for those in recovery. Anonymity is protected, offering a safe place to share your recovery or your problem. Many of our members have found tremendous support through different peer-led recovery groups. Options include: • TPFFA Phoenix Group: Weekly online meeting - Wednesdays at 8pm - run by members, for members to support each other, as we free ourselves from alcohol and substance abuse. Meetings are currently held on Zoom. Open to active and retired members, from all divisions. Zoom

Meeting ID: 918 4698 9450; Password: TFS12step. More info can be found in L3888 Union Notices (e.g. #21-006). • IAFF: Weekly online meetings - Sunday speaker meeting and Friday small group meeting. Links to these meetings can be found at: https://www.iaff.org/behavioral-health/#online-recovery-meetings • 12 Ladies: Weekly online meeting - Tuesdays at 8pm - run by women First Responders for women First Responders (i.e.

Fire Fighters, Police, EMS, Federal Officers, Correction Officers, and others, active or retired). Welcomes any sister who identifies as a woman. Safe place for women to gather and share conversation and experiences related to substance abuse and recovery. Contact: 12ladiesgroup@gmail.com

We all are quick to acknowledge that firefighters like a good deal. Many in our community show their appreciation for our work through ‘deals & discounts’. Give us a reduced cost cell phone plan, or takeout food, or sporting equipment, and we will embrace it fully (perhaps too fully, but that’s also another discussion)! We need to extend our willingness to embrace what is offered to us, to include supports in the realm of mental health. We have benefits coverage for private mental health counselling and therapy, we have access to both professional and peer support, we have extensive online and in person resources to learn, grow and heal. There are many ways that we can find support from, with and among our peers, who know firsthand much of our lived experiences. You are not alone. You deserve to be healthy, safe, well and supported. People need people to thrive. Please reach out and connect.