Canadian IAFF members have recognized as mental health champions

A leading organization that supports research and mental health initiatives of the first responders in Canada recognized three members of the IAFF as mental health champions.

Winnipeg, member of the local MB 867, Laura Duncan; Surrey, member of the local BC 1271, Matt Johnston; And Saskatoon, the member of the local section 80, Joel McNair, was one of 20 people who were recently honored by the Canadian Institute for Public Security Research and Treatment (CIPSRT).

The nominations for honor are accepted by a large cup of public security personnel, in particular firefighters, paramedical paramedics, police, border agents, correctional workers and emergency communicators. Honor is based on criteria including the impact of individual candidates on the mental health of their organization and their community, the number of people they have affected and their commitment to reduce the stigma of mental health.

Cipsrt notes on their website: “In public security organizations across the country, incredible people work to improve the mental health of their peers. Increased understanding and reduced stigma improves the general well-being of communities. Cipsrt finds inspiration in these efforts and aims to honor those who open the way. ”

Laura Duncan – Winnipeg, MB Local 867

Laura Duncan, a 27 -year -old firefighter and captain of the Winnipeg Fire paramedical service, is part of the peer support team and previously spent five years as a team coordinator. It also pleads for its peers thanks to its role within the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg Mental Health Committee.

Duncan taught both the Road to Mental Reasensiness (R2MR) and Resilient Minds programs, contributed to the development of programs for correctional services, and has teamed up with the retired police psychologist, Dr. Davis, on research on the way the brain deals with trauma, the works that led to the creation of a unique support platform for members of Winnipeg Local 867.

Duncan said it was humiliated to be among those recognized by Cipsrt for their mental health work, adding that they have always been an empathetic person and that his interest in the field has come naturally. After the tragic death of Winnipeg Harold Lessard and Thomas Nichols firefighters in 2007, his captain recommended that he join the peer support team. After several years in the team, she became team coordinator.

Earlier this year, Duncan took the floor to the Manitoba legislature in favor of Bill 29, revolutionary legislation which would oblige employers to prevent and deal with injuries and psychological disease linked to employment.

“I love being able to connect people to resources and help people normalize feelings,” she said, adding that she was grateful to local section 867 under President Nick Kasper to have hierommmed awareness of mental health. “I have the impression that we are doing a great job in our premises to drop the stigmatization, to start cutting it. And we will continue to advance the rock. “

Matt Johnston – Surrey, British Columbia local 1271

When he became a firefighter in 2012, Surrey, the member of the British Columbia section Matt Johnston, was already aware of the importance of mental health thanks to his work as a registered clinical advisor.

When he lost two fire colleagues at suicide in 2015, it sparked a strong desire to make a difference and improve mental health resources available to those of the profession.

“Unfortunately, it was the tragedy that mixed my two worlds together,” said Johnston.

Shortly after, Johnston co -founded First Lisnder Health, a company that trains psychologists and other health professionals to effectively support firefighters and other emergency stakeholders. The company maintains a list of “clinicians aware of the occupation” to whom the first stakeholders can access and connect the first stakeholders to psychologists via a telemedicine platform.

Since 2017, First Responder Health has trained more than 500 health care providers to better deal with the first speakers and, in partnership, with the British Columbia Fire Fighters Association, has given training on resilience to awareness of work at more than 10,000 firefighters. The associations and departments of the firefighters of other provinces currently consider training on resilience as a model to be adopted in their jurisdictions.

First responder Health is now working in close collaboration with the Wounded Warriors Canada, a large national organization that supports mental health initiatives for the staff of the armed forces and the first stakeholders.

“My goal is to help people prosper, and not just to survive, the Daily Grind of Life,” said Johnston, adding to being appointed Mental Health Champion of the CIPSRT 2024 was a moment of coronation of his career.

“My end of the ultimate game is to reduce the number of psychological crises not only in British Columbia but through Canada.”

Joel McNair – Saskatoon, SK Local 80

Joel McNair, a Saskatoon, in Sask., Fire Fighter and member of the local executive council 80, received a diagnosis of SSPT disorder and alcohol consumption in 2015. He asked for treatment, including a hospital program, and today uses his experience lived to help other firefighters.

McNair, 51, is a local member of the peer support team and currently on the board of directors of the City Employee and Family Aid Program (EFAP). He also co -chaired the first speaker of the Mental Health Committee of the Saskatchewan workers’ compensation board.

He said he knew he needed help when he found himself walking the Firehall at night, overwhelmed by anxiety and concentrated on the panic attacks he did not remember if he had given a red light on the way back. Self-medication with alcohol had ceased to work– Although this did not prevent him from trying.

“It happened to the point where I just couldn’t go to work, and it was my personal rock bottom. I was not safe for me, my community or the crew. ”

McNair is proud to be open to the challenges he has overcome and is always willing to share his experience to encourage others to ask for professional help.

He attributes to Johnston, the member of Surrey, for having urged him to assume a plea role after hearing him. During several sessions with other firefighters, McNair openly shared his story, and his wife also talked about his experience as a spouse.

“Then it has somehow transformed into a goal for me, and now I do a number of things for the health of the first answers not only in the local, but in the province.”

McNair says that he plans to study psychology in the fall so that he can continue the work when he withdraws from the fight against fires.

“When I retire, I want to devote all my time to the mental health of first responding and by ensuring that these great firefighters / paramedical paramedics are in good health, and they have a healthy and happy career of 30 years,” explains McNair. “This is my goal.”

General President Edward Kelly congratulated the trio for their commitment to mental health in firefighters.

“Laura, Matt and Joel have intensified, using their skills and their personal experiences to make a difference for firefighters and paramedical paramedics across Canada,” he said. “Not only do they help improve behavioral health practices in fire services; They save lives.

“The IAFF is proud to see them recognized for their exceptional efforts.”