scholarly journals Salutogenesis and the Mental Health of First Responders

2022 ◽  
pp. 543-551
Author(s):  
Avishai Antonovsky
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
First Responders ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Repeated Exposure ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Mental Preparation ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Mental Fitness

AbstractIn this chapter, the author addresses salutogenesis and the mental health of first responders (FRs). Research has observed FRs to be prone to psychological distress and psychopathology resulting from their repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events. Most of the literature is focused on postevent treatment. The author discusses a mental fitness model that includes salutogenically oriented psychoeducation and other activities to enhance mental fitness among FRs and build their psychological strengths as they face adversities on their job.In closing, the author recommends that besides psychopathology-oriented programs intended for providing mental first aid to FRs and for the communities who experience potentially traumatic events, intervention also should include salutogenically based mental preparation programs. These should emphasize the strengths and resources that could help FRs arrive at scenes of disaster equipped with salutogenic resources, at the strategic as well as tactical levels.

scholarly journals Public Safety Personnel’s interpretations of potentially traumatic events

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ricciardelli ◽  
S Czarnuch ◽  
T O Afifi ◽  
T Taillieu ◽  
R N Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Occupational Culture ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Many public safety personnel (PSP) experience trauma directly or indirectly in their occupational role, yet there remain barriers to accessing care or seeking help. Aims To understand how PSP interpret different potentially traumatic events and how perceived eligibility for being traumatized is determined among PSP. Methods We analysed open-ended comments provided by over 800 PSP in a survey designed to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress injuries and other mental disorders. Results We found evidence that a trauma hierarchy may exist among PSP. Certain experiences may be interpreted as more traumatic, based on both the event and the PSP role in the actual event. For example, involvement in a shooting may be interpreted as more traumatic than arriving on the scene later. Similarly, a single event may be deemed more traumatic than an accumulation of events. The role of the individual and social context in shaping experiences and interpretations of trauma may be largely ignored in line with confirmation biases. Conclusions The role that individuals and social contexts play in shaping experiences and interpretations of trauma appear suppressed by perceptions of a trauma hierarchy, facilitating systematic discrediting or valuation of some experiences, therein evidencing that trauma is subjective and reinforcing barriers to care seeking. A trauma hierarchy may also propagate stigma and legitimize discrimination regarding mental health. We argue that recognizing, engaging with, and dismantling the perception of a trauma hierarchy may help create a respectful and open occupational culture supportive of mental health needs.

Mental Health of Protective Services Workers: Results From the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher N. Kaufmann ◽  
Lainie Rutkow ◽  
Adam P. Spira ◽  
Ramin Mojtabai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Protective Services ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Epidemiologic Survey

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of protective services workers (PSWs), compare it to that of adults in other occupations, and determine if an association exists between trauma exposure and 3-year incident psychiatric disorders in PSWs.MethodsData from the longitudinal US National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions waves 1 (fielded 2001-2002) and 2 (fielded 2004-2005) were used to compare the prevalence of mental disorders at baseline in a representative sample of PSWs to that of adults in other occupations. Among PSWs, we also explored the association between recent exposure to potentially traumatic events and the development of mood, anxiety, and alcohol-use disorders over a 3-year follow-up period.ResultsAt baseline, PSWs had a lifetime prevalence of mental and alcohol-use disorders similar to that of adults in other occupations. However, PSWs experienced a greater variety of potentially traumatic events between baseline and follow-up. Exposure to a greater number of different trauma types was associated with increased odds of incident mood (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.09-3.22, P = .024), and alcohol-use disorders (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.16-2.91, P = .011). These associations were particularly strong among early career PSWs who joined the profession between waves 1 and 2 (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.26-4.19, P = .008, for mood disorders; AOR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.30-4.58, P = .007, for alcohol-use disorders).ConclusionsWhile PSWs do not appear to have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than workers in other occupations, they are more likely to experience multiple types of potentially traumatic events. PSWs who are exposed to multiple types of potentially traumatic events are at increased risk of developing new mental disorders, particularly in the early stages of their careers. Developing curricula in coping skills and providing timely interventions for early career PSWs may help reduce future psychiatric morbidity in these workers. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:36-45)

scholarly journals Development of Chinese mental health first aid guidelines for assisting a person affected by a traumatic event: a Delphi expert consensus study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Wenjing Li ◽  
Shurong Lu ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Brian Oldenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
English Language ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Expert Consensus ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Chinese Translation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
English Speaking

Abstract Background People who experience traumatic events have an increased risk of developing a range of mental disorders. Appropriate early support from people in a person’s social network may help to prevent the onset of a mental disorder or minimize its severity. Mental health first aid guidelines for assisting people who have experienced traumatic events have been developed for high-income English-speaking countries. However, they may not be appropriate for use in China due to cultural and health care system differences. The aim of this study was to develop culturally appropriate guidelines for people providing mental health first aid to people affected by traumatic events in China. Methods A Delphi expert consensus study was conducted with two panels of experts in mainland China. Experts recruited to the panels included 32 professionals with expertise in the treatment of people affected by traumatic events and 31 people with lived experience of trauma or their carers. Panel members were sent a Chinese translation of the questionnaire used for developing English-language mental health first aid guidelines. This contained 168 items describing how to help people experiencing a potentially traumatic event. Panelists were asked to rate the importance of each statement for inclusion in the Chinese guidelines. They were also encouraged to suggest any additional statements that were not included in the original questionnaire. Statements were accepted for inclusion in the adapted guidelines if they were endorsed by at least 80% of each panel as very important or important. Results Consensus was achieved after three survey rounds on 134 statements for inclusion in the adapted guidelines for China, with 127 adopted from the guidelines for English-speaking countries and 7 new items from the comments of panelists. Conclusions While many of the statements are similar to the guidelines for English-speaking countries, the panelists adapted the guidelines to China’s context, including more detailed actions on how to discuss trauma and to help the person. These guidelines will be used to form the basis of a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course for China, aimed at educating the public in providing support and advice to a person who is experiencing a potentially traumatic event. Further research is needed to investigate the use of the guidelines by the Chinese public and the implementation of MHFA training in appropriate settings in China.

Mental health of Dutch Peacekeeping Veterans 10-25 years after deployment

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 486-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen R. Klaassens ◽  
Tineke van Veen ◽  
Jos M.P. Weerts ◽  
Frans G. Zitman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Dutch Population ◽  
Peacekeeping Operations ◽  
General Dutch Population ◽  
Norm Group

AbstractObjectiveThis report describes the mental health of Dutch peacekeeping veterans, 10--25 years after deployment, and its association with deployment-related traumatic events.MethodWe randomly selected a group of 1046 peacekeeping veterans, who participated in military missions in Lebanon, former Yugoslavia, and various other missions between 1979 and 1997. We sent a questionnaire assessing current levels of psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory -- BSI), and a questionnaire assessing trauma related to deployment.ResultsPsychological data were available for 729 veterans. In 83% of the veterans, no significant psychological distress was found, whereas 17% scored above the BSI cut-off for psychopathology. Interestingly, this percentage was equal to that in a non-patient norm group.ConclusionFrom this finding we concluded that 10--25 years post-deployment, Dutch peacekeeping veterans do not show more psychological distress than the general Dutch population. In addition, we did not find a significant association between trauma exposure 10--25 years ago and current BSI scores. Moreover, trauma-exposure explained only 9% of the variance in psychological distress. Thus, although military peacekeeping operations may have a strong impact on the lives of soldiers, in this group of veterans they do not seem to have caused severe psychological distress10--25 years after deployment.

scholarly journals The impact of potentially traumatic events on the mental health of males who have served in the military: Findings from the Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 693-702
Author(s):  
Darryl Wade ◽  
Louise Mewton ◽  
Tracey Varker ◽  
Andrea Phelps ◽  
David Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Unexpected Events ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Australian Defence Force ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The study investigated the impact of potentially traumatic events on mental health outcomes among males who had ever served in the Australian Defence Force. Method: Data from a nationally representative household survey of Australian residents, the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, were used for this study. Results: Compared with community members, Australian Defence Force males were significantly more likely to have experienced not only deployment and other war-like events but also accidents or other unexpected events, and trauma to someone close. For non-deployed males, Australian Defence Force members were at increased risk of accidents or other unexpected events compared to community members. After controlling for the effect of potentially traumatic events that were more prevalent among all Australian Defence Force members, the increased risk of mental disorders among Australian Defence Force members was no longer evident. For non-deployed males, Australian Defence Force and community members were at comparable risk of poor mental health outcomes. A significant minority of Australian Defence Force members had onset of a mental disorder prior to their first deployment. Conclusions: Deployment and other potentially traumatic events among Australian Defence Force members can help to explain their increased vulnerability to mental disorders compared with community members. Providers should routinely enquire about a range of potentially traumatic events among serving and ex-serving military personnel.

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