CBC News: Suicide rate in Alberta up 30%

[revelations]

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Didn't need a new thread. RCMP struggling with how to commemorate members who take thier own lives.
Attachment 87799
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...cide-1.5307588

I would argue that this needs its own thread - military operators and first responders (not just RCMP) are suiciding all over the place in Canada and very little is being done - at least in public. This is not about OG workers who cant handle layoffs.

No doubt it has something to do with the BS laws where hardened criminals are being released again and again and these members are seeing the results of this first hand - but in cases of the culture of many of these large forces (eg. OPP) its just sad to think that machoism is still the name of the game.

(longer article, focusing on OPP)

https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/long...police-suicide

[Buster]

Is the rate of First Responders suicides going up?

[Misterman]

I never understood why people so emotionally invested in everything, get into jobs that are emotionally taxing?

[ZenOps]

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Is the rate of First Responders suicides going up?

I'm guessing so. I wonder how the Newfies are doing, last I heard its only getting tougher.

[Tik-Tok]

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I never understood why people so emotionally invested in everything, get into jobs that are emotionally taxing?

They probably aren't at first. Those types of jobs wear people down.

[ZenOps]

If you see someone successfully tightrope walking across the grand canyon, you begin to think you will be successful at it yourself.

[revelations]

I dont know it the suicide rates are going up, but its definitely being reported more now whereas in the past it would have been classified as 'personal problems'.
Now its being (somewhat) recognized as a by-product of the line of work.

Quote from a 30 year member written in response to OHS article:

https://www.ohscanada.com/rcmp-has-s...es-since-2006/

A large number of these officers suffering PTSD are not doing so out of guilt at what they have done but what has been done to them. Everything from being shot at, knifed, being invalved in hi-speed car crashes, watching disgusting child porn over many years in order to catch pedefials, dealing with spousal abuse or murders, dealing with serious or fatal motorvehicle accidents day after day, attending drowning scenes and recovering the decomposing body of a loved one and even being judged, belittled and shunned by the the people they are protecting.

[TurboMedic]

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Is the rate of First Responders suicides going up?

Yes. Its alarming the rate that its occurring at the moment. The past few weeks has been another bunch of them. Its still very poorly reported on our end, for whatever reason. Its always happened, I can recall colleagues suffering addictions, depression and suicide for as long as I've been in the industry, so 20+ years for me, it definitely wasn't reported back then, if at all. I understand privacy, but there is a problem within our groups. There was a bunch of focus put on mental health assistance for a short while, but little is being done to prevent or mitigate it before it becomes a problem. The other issue is alot of us misunderstand PTSD itself, and that misunderstanding can lead to alot of "me too"s, but conversely alot of untreated or undiagnosed problems. From personal experience I recount a large number of scenarios regularly, both in good ways and in bad. That in itself isn't a problem, it becomes a problem of when you have true physical symptoms associated with those. I think of myself having a bucket, and everyones buckets are different, different sizes, different shapes, some buckets need to be held very steady, others can be sloshed around. Your bucket fills and fills, and you think everything is ok, you look at yourself as resilient, or tough or jaded, but carrying that bucket as it fills, you stumble, some spills, you get anxious, nervous, can't sleep, get sick often, struggle to keep your thoughts on other things. Eventually that bucket gets too full, or something happens causing you to dump that bucket, and that's when bad things happen. Triggers are all over, and it doesn't necessarily have to be anything as dramatic or horrific as for example the Vince Li case, it can be guilt, it can be helplessness, it can be sheer overwork and fatigue, it can be familiarity (like the whole hug your kids business). Finding treatment as a first responder is quite difficult, we actually had a hired psychologist on staff for a few months, but access was poor and I think the program fell apart. We have a couple of "friendlies" that the Paramedic association puts out as being familiar with the unique situation we are in (ie: repeated exposure, shift work, sleep deprivation, nutritional deficit), but nearly everyone who has sought any assistance within the normal mental health ranks have been left with no guidance, we have had a few that have actually been told they don't know what they can do. I wish there was answers, and I wish it wasn't as prevalent as it is, and I often wonder what it would be like in a different profession, in a monday to friday role. The stressors would be different.

[rx7boi]

We're fully funded by Veteran Affairs Canada and I do trauma work/research/evaluation directly with RCMP, veterans, and still-serving military members. The most common primary diagnosis with PTSD and frequently presents itself with comorbidities such as MDD and GAD. Substance use is rampant and there is a huge organizational problem and stigma even acknowledging that you're suffering, let alone getting a diagnosis and having that label.

These people have lives, obligations, career aspirations, and mortgages to pay, just like you. Some people want to keep this kind of thing hidden but it has real impact on their lives.

Veteran Affairs Canada funds 11 operational stress injury clinics across Canada but unfortunately, there's still alot of still-serving/veterans who are unaware that this assessment/treatment service exists.

In the more recent years, we've had more referrals as more members have successfully resolved their traumas through therapy and have the confidence to not only share their story with those in the field, but also encouraging them to get referred for help.

TurboMedic is right in that alot of people get into this line of work because it's a job but also have a positive impact, but each individual's perceived resiliency will factor in how well or how long they can do the type of work.

I don't see this work as being open to only those who are immune to it because we're all human. You can't expect to do this work without consequences so it is really important for organizations to invest resources into educating their employees.

DND introduced a Road 2 Mental Readiness (R2MR) which has been adopted by the RCMP. Workshops are run for first responders to learn about the mental health continuum and when they should seek help, and be able to identify these symptoms before they get worse.

All I can say is as long as law enforcement, first responder, and military positions are needed, so are the services required to help those when they need it.

[Rat Fink]

.

[TurboMedic]

We did R2MR as well, it is delivered I believe every 2 years to us? The problem is it's a reactive step, not a proactive prevention step. I can't recall the name of the program that the military has that is a pro-OSI basis aimed at preventing it from occurring rather than treating it when it occurs

[revelations]

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You pump on some kids chest until the kid gets put in a body bag but you’re a pussy if you don’t rush to that stolen garden gnome call right after and issue 2 speeding tickets along the way.

Thats ok, thats what off-duty time is for!!! /s - to deal with your own 'personal problems' - usually involving a bottle in a brown paper bag.

[rx7boi]

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We did R2MR as well, it is delivered I believe every 2 years to us? The problem is it's a reactive step, not a proactive prevention step. I can't recall the name of the program that the military has that is a pro-OSI basis aimed at preventing it from occurring rather than treating it when it occurs

There are two variations of R2MR. One is delivered specifically with information for employees but there is a different one that goes to the management/leadership team. If you're part of a leadership/management team, I think it's your duty to best equip your team as possible for the work they do. Organizationally, there's a disparity in training and education on the physical compared to mental.

As I mentioned, no one is immune to mental health issues but I believe people should also be accountable and responsible for their own wellbeing. If you are in denial about your own symptoms, it is difficult to take steps in the right direction and get help which is what we see in alot of clients diagnosed with OSI's before it got bad enough to do something about.

It's not about preventing mental illness but mitigating its risk. Preventing OSI's is a misnomer. Military and police work inherently engenders a high risk for trauma exposure and the consequent development of recurrent psychological difficulties.

It's also unfair to say that people shouldn't get into this line of work because we know from research that combat roles, military sexual trauma, and moral injury all result in increased incidences of PTSD. Without getting into the technical research, there is also a prevalence of complex/severe PTSD which has a link and can be exacerbated by childhood traumas so there's alot more variables than most people think. The treatment of PTSD can also present its own set of challenges.

I love talking about research and trauma treatment. It's extremely rewarding to see someone gain fullness and take back control of their own life because PTSD is very debilitating.

[AndyL]

Curious when we'll start seeing FMRI used as part of the employment screening. There's been a few research projects now where they're predicting PTSD occurrence with an extremely high accuracy rate before it happens.

But I can imagine already the employment equity arguments...

[phil98z24]

I highly recommend this piece our Chief did for The Star. The paper is generally a rag, but I’m glad he did this.

Often times first responders are thought of only for what people see them doing in the public eye, but it’s out of sight out of mind for the stuff behind closed doors. I can attest to the crippling weight of many years of seeing really awful stuff, being constantly criticized, suffering my own personal losses as a result of my chosen profession, and having no support from the justice system meant to protect us all.

https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2019...ice-ranks.html

[cam_wmh]

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I highly recommend this piece our Chief did for The Star. The paper is generally a rag, but I’m glad he did this.

Often times first responders are thought of only for what people see them doing in the public eye, but it’s out of sight out of mind for the stuff behind closed doors. I can attest to the crippling weight of many years of seeing really awful stuff, being constantly criticized, suffering my own personal losses as a result of my chosen profession, and having no support from the justice system meant to protect us all.

https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2019...ice-ranks.html

Does the CPS perform an independent, employee satisfaction/morale survey?
ie; administered by a big 4, and identifies key questions, like confidence in each level of leadership, harassment, & likelihood to recommend the position to others.

[phil98z24]

They do. It’s a nice thing they are engaging us but I do wonder what comes of it as it’s something that goes right to the commission and not the service. I am hoping the new chief takes more of this on in a more direct manner.

[revelations]

Is there a municipal/provincial force in Canada that is taking a lead on these specific issues? Some forces are definitely more progressive than others.

[TurboMedic]

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I highly recommend this piece our Chief did for The Star. The paper is generally a rag, but I’m glad he did this.

Often times first responders are thought of only for what people see them doing in the public eye, but it’s out of sight out of mind for the stuff behind closed doors. I can attest to the crippling weight of many years of seeing really awful stuff, being constantly criticized, suffering my own personal losses as a result of my chosen profession, and having no support from the justice system meant to protect us all.

https://www.thestar.com/calgary/2019...ice-ranks.html

That article got posted in one of our groups, and it was refreshing to see. Not a peep from our "chief" on anything, he's too busy taking his 7th vacation of the summer while we get discretionary time off denied indefinitely. Do more with less. Work harder. No you can't get off work on time. No care if you've just done a really mentally trying call, we are in red alert so finish your paperwork later.

Its nice to see you guys have some leadership, we're jealous over here, and I hope it leads to positive changes and initiatives in the force!

[revelations]

Very positive, initial small sample studies done in Canada with pure MDMA and group therapy for PTSD.

https://globalnews.ca/news/2638489/e...esearch-group/

https://maps.org/research/mdma/ptsd/canada/news

There is hope, but with the old brass in power, I suspect this will not be addressed in a long time. PTSD sufferers need to seek real treatment outside the country at this time.