Mental Health Resources for First Responders and Their Families
A curated, searchable collection of mental health resources for first responders, their families, and their leaders. Search by keyword or filter by category.
Coping with Suicidal Thoughts
Guidance for anyone seriously thinking about suicide: you are not alone, and there are steps that can help.
Self-Care Education
Apps, guides, and worksheets to reduce stress and support mental wellbeing, including Firestrong tools.
Antidepressant Skills at Work
A workbook on depression, skills for dealing with it, and an overview of workplace issues.
Staying Emotionally Healthy
A guide to help you better care for your mental health.
Resilience Booster
Advice from the Canadian Mental Health Association on boosting mental resilience.
Sleep Resources
Recognizing that sleep is integral to mental health, a list of resources to help you rest better.
Recovery After Trauma Booklet
A practical, evidence-informed resource for volunteer emergency service workers and their families.
Is Your Condition Work Related?
WorkSafeBC provides benefits for some employment-related mental health disorders. Learn what may qualify.
Mental Health Practitioner Directory
A directory of occupationally-aware mental health professionals trained in treating first responders.
Expert Guidelines: PTSD in Emergency Service Workers
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in emergency service workers.
Respect Map
A searchable directory of Canadian organizations and providers supporting veterans of the CAF and RCMP.
Training Courses
Courses to improve your knowledge and skills in tackling mental health, in your own life and your workplace.
Overview of Training Programs
An overview of training courses that build knowledge, skills, and abilities to better support mental health.
PSPNET
Free courses and resources aimed at Public Safety Personnel, including first responders.
Burnaby Fire Department EFAP
24/7 confidential counselling for Burnaby Fire members and their families — by phone, video, or in person. Call 1-844-505-6240 anytime, or use the online tools at one.telushealth.com.
A Toolkit for Families
For families supporting children, youth, and adults with a mental or substance use disorder. Five modules.
A Practical Guide for Survivors of Suicide
Focuses on the practical matters survivors need to deal with after a suicide. Includes BC-specific information.
Supporting a Friend or Family Member
A resource for families and friends of people in the recovery process from a mental illness.
Preventing Suicide
How to reduce the risk of suicide, including looking for warning signs.
Family Support
Resources and support available to families of first responders who may be struggling.
A Guide for Families
Support for loved ones of first responders on the front lines responding to emergencies and trauma.
Emergency Services Foundation: Families Guide
A guide to help families of emergency service workers, from the Emergency Services Foundation, Australia.
Recommended Practices
Research-based recommended practices for supporting mental health in first responders.
Making the Business Case
Helping organizational leadership make the case for supporting first responder mental health.
Gap Analysis Tool
A tool from the BC First Responders Mental Health Committee to assess organizational gaps.
Toolkit for Managers
The RCMP's Toolkit for Managers, with advice for supervisors and managers.
WorkSafeBC Claim Process
Guidance for employers on the WorkSafeBC claim process for work-related injury or disease.
Critical Incident Stress Management
CISM empowers individuals in the context of their workplace to manage the impact of critical incidents.
Developing a Peer Support Policy
Guidance on building workplace-based peer support programs in first responder organizations.
Overview of Peer Support Programs
An overview of peer support programs for responders who witness difficult events.
Organizational Mental Health Check
A check for organizations whose people are exposed to stressful or traumatic events.
Mental Health Policy Template
A template to help workplaces commit to positive mental health, improving morale and lowering absenteeism.
Stay at Work / Return to Work Package
A package to support employees experiencing a mental health condition to stay at or return to work.
A Guide for Supervisors
A guide for supervisors to support mental health in first responders.
A Roadmap for Leaders
A roadmap for leaders responsible for policies and programs supporting first responder mental health.
Family Night Facilitator Guide
A guide recognizing the importance of family in the resilience and wellbeing of first responders.
Accommodation Strategies for Job Expectations
Strategies to accommodate responders experiencing emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioural impacts.
No resources match your search. Try a different keyword or category.
Most resources are provided by BC First Responders' Mental Health, a committee of fire, police, paramedic, and WorkSafeBC representatives. Valour Health Group shares them here as a convenience and does not claim authorship. Department-specific programs are noted where they appear.
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Self-assessment tools
Anonymous, validated screening tools to help you reflect on your mental health. Insight, not a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Referrals, confidentiality, benefits, in-person versus virtual, and how to start.
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