EMS Welfare - Mental Health Month

 

We need to prioritize mental health within the EMS community. Caring for others begins with caring for ourselves. Remember, it is okay to take a moment for self-care amidst the chaos.

Prioritizing mental and physical health is crucial for overall well-being. Here are some strategies individuals can adopt:

Regular Exercise: Engage in physical activities you enjoy, whether it's going for a walk, practicing yoga, or hitting the gym. Regular exercise not only improves physical health but also releases endorphins, which can boost mood and reduce stress.

Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, sugary snacks, and caffeine, which can negatively impact both physical and mental health.

Healthy Sleeping: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and minimize screen time before bed to promote better sleep hygiene.

Stress Management: Practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, or progressive muscle relaxation. Engaging in hobbies, spending time outdoors, or connecting with loved ones can also help alleviate stress.

Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support when needed. Talking about your feelings and experiences can provide valuable perspective and emotional support.

Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments or activities that drain your energy or overwhelm you. Establishing boundaries helps protect your time and prioritize self-care.

Stay Connected: Cultivate meaningful relationships and social connections with others. Whether it's through in-person interactions, phone calls, or online communities, maintaining social support networks can have a positive impact on mental health.

Engage in Relaxation Activities: Dedicate time to activities that promote relaxation and enjoyment, such as reading, listening to music, practicing hobbies, or spending time in nature.

Limit Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens, particularly before bedtime. Excessive screen time, especially on electronic devices, can interfere with sleep patterns and contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety.

Seek Professional Help: If you're struggling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or other concerns, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy, counseling, or medication can be valuable resources for improving mental well-being.

Prioritizing mental and physical health requires ongoing effort and self-awareness. It's important to listen to your body and mind, and make choices that support your overall well-being.

Mental Health & EMS

Mental health issues among Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers have become a pressing concern in recent years. These dedicated professionals face unique challenges and stressors in their line of work, which can have a significant impact on their mental well-being. Some current issues and concerns related to mental health among EMS providers include:

High Stress Levels: EMS providers often encounter high-stress situations, including traumatic accidents, life-threatening emergencies, and mass casualty incidents. Exposure to these stressors can lead to acute and chronic stress, contributing to mental health issues.

Work-Related Trauma: EMS professionals are exposed to traumatic events and suffer from compassion fatigue, which can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Witnessing distressing scenes and losing patients can have a cumulative psychological toll.

Long and Irregular Shifts: EMS providers often work long hours with irregular schedules, including night shifts and weekends. These demanding work hours can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to fatigue, which may exacerbate mental health issues.

Lack of Mental Health Support: Many EMS agencies have been slow to recognize and address mental health issues among their staff. There may be a lack of access to mental health resources, and stigma surrounding mental health can discourage providers from seeking help.

Substance Abuse: Some EMS providers turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism for the stress and trauma they face. Substance abuse can further compound mental health issues and lead to addiction.

Burnout: EMS providers are at risk of experiencing burnout due to the emotional and physical demands of their job. Burnout can manifest as feelings of exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced job satisfaction.

Suicide Rates: There is growing concern about elevated suicide rates among EMS professionals. The stressors, trauma exposure, and lack of mental health support can contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Impact on Personal Life: The emotional toll of the job can extend to EMS providers' personal lives, affecting their relationships, family dynamics, and overall well-being.

Addressing mental health issues among EMS providers requires a multi-faceted approach. It involves improving access to mental health resources, reducing stigma, offering peer support programs, and implementing regular mental health check-ins. EMS agencies, healthcare organizations, and policymakers need to prioritize the mental well-being of these essential frontline workers to ensure their long-term mental health and resilience.

#EMS #MentalHealth #PreHospitalCare #WhoCaresForTheCarers #SubstanceAbuse

Thought For The Day

With all the darkness that is in the world right now, and to everyone who faces their own internal struggles on a daily basis, how about we embrace our humanity and carry this straightforward but compassionate message into the new month ahead.

#LifeIsPrecious #YouAreWorthIt #Mindfulness

Copying With Anxiety In A Time Of COVID-19

 Illustrator: Kate Allen

It is not uncommon to experience anxiety and fear when hearing information about an infectious disease that is impacting individuals across the globe. Social distancing is also causing us all to temporarily change our daily routine, which can feel uncomfortable.

It is important to learn the facts related to the risks and speak to your doctor about any concerns you may have about your own health and COVID-19. If you are experiencing anxiety or fear related to COVID-19, these tips may help you feel more comfortable. 

It is normal to feel a range of emotions when you hear about COVID-19 in the news or in your social/family circle. Emotions may include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Fear
• Anger

Everything you feel and think is normal. However, at times our feelings keep us from living our day to day life in a way that works for us. This can happen when our emotions impact our ability to make decisions or carry on with our activities of daily life. 

If you ever feel overwhelmed by your feelings, there are actions you can take to begin to feel more in control. Options to help you deal with your feelings include:

• Hobbies

• Exercise

• Meditation

• Listening to music
• Take time outdoors
• Talking to your doctor
• Talk to your friends and family
• Talking to a mental health professional

• Taking a break from news media and social media

• Learning about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risks

Learning the facts about COVID-19 can be the most helpful way to help alleviate anxiety and fear. For official guidance, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control website and the Wyoming Information Sharing Platform (WISP).

Once you educate yourself, if you are still feeling anxiety, it may be helpful to get understanding and empathy from a mental health professional who is knowledgeable about anxiety and how to manage it.

For immediate and confidential support 24/7, you can call 211. If you see a mental health professional already, this would be a good time to call and speak to them about your thoughts and feelings.

Give yourself time and space to talk about how you feel anytime your thoughts and emotions become intrusive or uncomfortable. You always deserve the opportunity to explore what is on your mind, and help is always available by calling 211. 

Learning the facts about COVID-19, washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and finding activities that distract you from virus news are all excellent ways to make yourself feel better. Know that there is a wealth of resources, education, and support available to you.

 Illustrator: Kate Allen

#Anxiety #YouAreStrong

#LifeIsPrecious #DuringATimeOfPlague #MentalHealthMatters

Thought For The Day

Communicating effectively in a relationship, be that a friendship or a marriage, is one of the most powerful ways that human beings can strengthen the bond between them. 

Communicating in a healthy, productive way is much more effective and shows greater respect towards others in your life.

#Communication #Listen #Feelings 

#Mindfulness #Respect

Living With Anxiety In A Time Of Plague

Illustrator: Kate Allen

Anxiety has a way of sending your brain into complete overdrive. I know, it happens all too frequently with me!

The mental health condition, which affects an estimated 40 million adults in the USA alone, is notorious for causing excessive rumination and intense worry. It’s common for those living with the issue to think about a mistake and believe they’re worthless or a failure, for example. Believe me, you are none of those things!

Sometimes, a feeling of panic comes up for no reason at all. Possibly accentuated during times of stress and perceived isolation. And this is all in addition to the physical symptoms, like stomach pains and headaches. So no fun at all!

If you’re living with anxiety, it’s important to know that there are ways to manage it. If your anxiety becomes debilitating, it’s important to seek help from loved ones that understand, skilled friends who know how to listen or, even better, mental health professionals. 

Reading uplifting cartoons and memes are a great momentary antidote, but nothing substitutes for good care and support.

Feeling better is totally possible. I care. You care. We care. Together we will defeat this shit!

Illustrator: Kate Allen

#Anxiety #LifeIsPrecious #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreStrong

Thought For The Day

#LifeIsPrecious #AMomentInTime #MentalHealth

Thought For The Day

I am truly grateful to those friends in my life who greet me with a smile, a hearty handshake, even a big hug and ask ‘how are YOU’ doing?’. 

If you don’t have it you to be kind, compassionate, even forgiving, then I invite you to cross the street, keep looking dead ahead, and walk the feck out of my life.

#LifeIsPrecious #Kindness #Mindfulness