Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Frontline Workers: How Can We Support Them Better?

Chances are, no matter where you are in the world you probably know at least one or two frontline workers.

So many people that I meet on a day to day basis say that they have a healthcare worker, police officer, paramedic, firefighter, or any other frontline workers within their families.

These folks working in the professions that they do allow for communities to be ran smoothly and keeps everyone interconnected.

Sadly, this sometimes comes at the expense of mental health of those in these lines of work.

Exposure to traumatic events over time leads some of these workers with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental health struggles.

So, how can we help those that are in frontline work? How can employers help their employees with their mental health?

I have created and presented workshops for healthcare students going into the profession that discuss different mental health topics, and prepared/equipped these students for what they will face in the real world. Having those resources made known before you go into the profession can greatly help.

In my own experience, I struggled greatly with my mental health within the first 2 years of being in my profession (nursing) and I had no idea what supports were available to me. I struggled immensely with my own worth and struggled to even know if my career was the right choice. Knowing what I do now has allowed me to further go along and share the resources that are available for those struggling with their mental health due to their frontline jobs.

Organizations like OSI-CAN offer peer-support groups to folks who work in frontline/high stress jobs. I have recently started attending peer-groups in hope to become a facilitator within the next month or so. This is so imperative, because having the support and understanding from people who are going through the same situation as you can help you have a better and different understanding of the situation that you are facing.

Having someone to talk to while you are at work is also so good, because then they can relate to what you are going through at any given time. This again ties back into having a peer that can relate to you and offer different perspectives on the situations that you are facing.

There are also employee assistance programs that offer counsellors and other mental health resources. In my own mental health journey, there were so many roadblocks with the employee assistance program, but I know many people have had better experiences.

For those who have served in the forces, there is Veterans Affairs Canada and it is available 24/7, 365 days a week to help with those facing mental health struggles due to being a part of the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP. They also offer financial help, housing help, and education/jobs to those coming out of the forces. This program also has programs for the families of those who have served, as PTSD can take a toll on family as well as the person experiencing it.

One of the biggest things that is not taught by schools or employers, is that the jobs that we do have very real and very serious consequences sometimes to our physical well-being and mental well-being.

I strive to continue helping educate those going into frontline work about the potential things they may experience and how they can cope with those situations as they happen, rather than well after the fact when the damage is already done.

I hope that you all have a great day, and that you are able to find the resources that you need to succeed. As always, if you ever need a helping hand or someone to talk to; reach out. Whether it be to Forward Frontline, a trusted friend, or a therapist/counsellor... know that someone out there wants to hear your story.

-Destiny