Our discussion this week focuses on the mental health needs of an often-overlooked population, the first responders of disasters. The links below provide powerful insights and testimonials to the importance of protecting one’s mental health and may be helpful resources in the discussion.

Beyond Debriefing: How to Address Responders’ Emotional Health
http://www.emergencymgmt.com/training/Beyond-Debriefing-Responders-Emotional-Health.html

Former Emergency Service Workers Speak Out about their Experiences with PTSD
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/former-emergency-service-workers-speak-about-ptsd/6518506

Psychological Trauma and First Responders
http://americanmentalhealthfoundation.org/2015/04/psychological-trauma-and-first-responders/

• After reviewing the course materials, discuss, with detail, three things you believe are critical for first responders to know regarding potential threats of disaster response work to their mental health. These can be of a preparatory and preventative or a post-event recovery nature, or a combination. Selections should be critically important in maintaining or restoring one’s mental health.