As Leaders

Create a safe, supportive environment for those experiencing mental health challenges by creating a workplace where it’s OK to talk about mental health.

Here you’ll find a variety of templates, management tips and toolkits that offer support for leaders and managers of first responders, and assist those experiencing mental health challenges.

Recommended Practices

These recommended practices are based on research studies and other similar practice documents, along with contributions developed through a …

Making the Business Case

One of the biggest hurdles in supporting mental health in first responders is getting an organization’s leadership to make …

Gap Analysis Tool

The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee, consisting of representatives from fire, police, paramedic services, and WorkSafeBC, has developed …

Training Courses

Various training courses can help improve your knowledge and skills in tackling mental health, whether in your own life …

Toolkit for Managers

The RCMP’s Toolkit for Managers includes useful advice for supervisors and managers on pages 6-13 and in Appendix 1. …

WorkSafeBC Claim Process

Employers If a person working for you has a work-related injury or disease and gets medical treatment from a …

Critical Incident Stress Management

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is an effective approach because it empowers individuals, in the context of their workplace, …

Developing a Peer Support Policy

Employees in first responder organizations can benefit from the hope and recovery that peer support programs can provide. Workplace-based …

Overview of Peer Support Programs

First responders attend calls and witness events that can cause them to experience strong emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioural …

Organizational Mental Health Check

First responders are often at the scene of stressful or traumatic events that can have an immediate, cumulative, and …

Overview of Training Programs

There are training courses available that provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities that people need in order to better …

Logic Model Guide

This guide is reproduced from a portion of the document titled Supporting Effective Evaluations: A Guide to Developing Performance Measurement …

Logic Model Template

The template provided here is based on the logic model outlined in Supporting Effective Evaluations: A Guide to Developing Performance …

Accommodation Strategies for Job Expectations

First responders attend calls and witness events that can cause them to experience strong emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioural …

Stay at Work/Return to Work Package

When an employee experiences a mental health condition, it can be difficult to continue working as usual. However, being …

Employee Role in Stay at Work/Return to Work

Unsurprisingly, employees play the most important role in ensuring they can remain in the workplace if they have difficulties …

Supervisor Role in Stay at Work/Return to Work

Supervisors (including line managers) play an important role in facilitating safe and effective work accommodations. Supervisors with positive leadership …

Co-Worker Support in Stay at Work/Return to Work

When an employee has been off work due to a mental health condition, co-worker support can mean the difference …

Risk Factors for Work Disability

Work disability refers to the loss of some or all functional work ability and activity consequent to impairment. While …

Communication Log

Please use this log to record information shared and decisions made when assisting an employee who is off work …

Letter to health care provider

Dear health care provider, At [insert organization name here], we are committed to supporting the mental health of all …

Work Ability Assessment Form

To download an editable word document click here To read more, download PDF document

Supporting Employee Success

A tool to plan accommodations To read more, download PDF document

Mental Health Policy Template

A commitment to positive mental health benefits everyone in the workplace. It improves morale and results in lower absenteeism …

Police – 8.5 X 11

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Police – 11 X 17

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Firefighter 1 – 8.5 X 11

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Firefighter 1 – 11 X 17

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Firefighter 2 – 8.5 X 11

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Firefighter 2 – 11 X 17

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Dispatcher – 8.5 X 11

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Dispatcher – 11 X 17

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Paramedic – 8.5 X 11

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

Paramedic – 11 X 17

Terms of Use The BC First Responders Mental Health Committee commissioned market research in order to explore the best …

A roadmap for promoting positive mental health in first responder organizations

This roadmap is for leaders and others responsible for policies and programs designed to support the mental health of …

Supporting mental health in first responders: A guide for supervisors

A guide for supervisors to support mental health in first responders.

Family Night Facilitator Guide

In recognition of the importance of family in the resilience of first responders, and for the well-being of family …

2023 Conference – Day 1 – Leadership Plenary

Fostering Team Cultures That Support High Performance and Well-being Presented by Dr. Duncan Shields Public safety organizations and workers …

2023 Conference – Day 1 – Leadership Panel

Taking the Lead: A Panel Discussion Hear from a range of leaders on their experiences, insights, and lessons learned …

2023 Conference – Day 1 – Leading by Example: Dave Samson Video

Leading by Example: Dave Samson Dave Samson candidly shares more about his experience as Deputy Fire Chief, and discusses …