Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Northwest Florida First Responder Resiliency Project is a multi-faceted, evidence-based outreach and intervention approach to addressing the behavioral health needs of firefighters (n= approx. 2,500) in Hurricane Michael impacted areas of the Florida panhandle. The program consists of 4 primary components: linking first responders with evidence-based assessment, screening, and tele-behavioral health services; peer support capacity building; education to promote mental health literacy (MHL); and leadership coaching to address stigma and culture change. These components address the most pressing issues in linking firefighters with appropriate mental health and substance use services: shortage of local providers, providers lacking cultural competency with first responders, inadequate insurance benefits, stigma, lack of awareness and misunderstandings regarding mental health issues, and fear of employment consequences for seeking services (leadership culture). Hurricane Michael exacerbated the existing severe mental health provider shortages in the western Florida panhandle. High levels of rurality and socioeconomic challenges in this area strongly correlate with more critical and persistent mental health issues after a disaster. First responders are also at higher risk for undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues and less likely to engage in help-seeking behaviors. Given firefighters were both residents of the disaster area as well as first responders in the situation, they remain at high risk for serious mental health issues. In addition to rurality, stigma, pride, shame, misunderstandings about mental health concerns, and employment culture prohibit firefighters from accessing care locally. However, telehealth can address both proximity and cultural barriers. Telecounseling by licensed mental health providers has been demonstrated an effective technique for delivery of evidence-based trauma informed therapy modalities, which may be helpful in the repeated exposure to trauma experienced by firefighters. Evidence indicates involvement in organized peer support networks can attenuate mental health symptoms and provide protective factors among firefighters. Trained peers serve as advocates providing education and awareness so more firefighters may recognize the early signs and symptoms of mental health issues and seek treatment, decrease stigma regarding mental health and substance abuse issues, increase access and linkages to appropriate professionals. Evidence also links increases in mental health literacy with increased access to screening and treatment and reduction in stigma. Project directors will customize and deploy a wide-reaching digital campaign to improve mental health literacy among first responders. Leadership behaviors are predictive of stigma and practical barriers to mental health treatment. Given the hierarchical nature of leadership in the fire service, leaders possess a unique and powerful opportunity to create culture shifts to reduce stigma regarding mental health treatment in firefighters. Relying on the theories of planned behavior change, the program will help leaders adopt a more positive, trauma-informed perspective on mental health issues.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
