Trust, Horizontally & Vertically
Whether you have boots on the ground as a member of the Military or Police, or serve as a Paramedic or Firefighter, we recognize that virtues of service demand commitment to both our own personal principles and connection to shared standards of professionalism. These demand trust horizontally between members beside us and vertically in our chain of command. Connection to a unit and commitment to service becomes an important measure of health not only for individual members but entire teams and ultimately unit readiness.
–Connection to a unit and commitment to service becomes an important measure of health for not only individual members but entire teams and ultimately unit readiness.
Morale is a fighting spirit derived from a satisfaction of service. It is the connection to shared attitudes, beliefs, and values that allows us to become representations of those communities of service. Addressing the importance of mental health in First Responders begins at the unit. First Responder peer support is the first line of defense.
–Morale is a fighting spirit derived from a satisfaction of service. It is the connection to shared attitudes, beliefs, and values that allows us to become representations of those communities of service.
Community & Connection
Although morale is an intangible quality, its presence much as its absence is noticeable. Certainly, every member influences the morale of their unit. This is why it is the responsibility of leadership at all levels to recognize morale as a major factor in not only the performance but the health of any unit size. Adequate training and support can improve confidence, just as keeping members well informed can help connect their personal actions with collective intent. Similarly, awareness of the physical and mental health of each member are not only important measures but often linked together when addressing stress in First Responders. The spirit of their unit must be of constant concern to them.
Units also represents more than just horizontal and vertical dynamics. They represent what the unit has done. The history and traditions of a unit are important measures of health because it develops a sense of belonging to a history that, as active members or Veterans, we ultimately become part of. One of many components that transcends us as single individuals.
–Aside from any single supportive family member, friend, or fireteam partner, the existence of a supportive community comprises an important component to resiliency and recovery from injuries.
This example is not to suggest that units with accomplished pasts and rich traditions necessarily have good morale. Toxic environments can also become an unfortunate tradition. The rupture of supportive relationships and perhaps our rejection of new ones can be the result of morale injuries that violate deeply held attitudes, beliefs, and values about what service is and why we serve. For example, duty related deaths or suicides can harm morale and further compound the injuries of these losses by affecting how we make sense of these deaths. Aside from any single supportive family member, friend, or fireteam partner, the existence of a supportive community comprises an important component to resiliency and recovery from injuries.
Community & Connection
–The dynamic between character, connection, and context are critical factors.
Support goes beyond knowing we should reach out for help. It is also not only the size of social networks but whether we believe we will receive help or be rejected by those beside us or above us in our chain of command. When the strength of mental will is pushed to the extreme, connection is often an indicator of health at the level of individual members, their team, and unit readiness. Indicators of apparent or actual dissent can also be a consequence of poor morale, not necessarily an absence of discipline in members to begin with. This is why the dynamics between character, connection, and context are critical factors leaders of any unit size must consider.
At some level we already know the importance of this. However, recognizing that psychosocial factors can impact diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis often remains neglected. Certainly, it is unlikely that morale and meaningful relationships alone will result in the total absence of formal and resource-intensive physical and psychological rehabilitation. However, treatment outcomes are likely to be enhanced and the duration of the intervention reduced.
If you are a First Responder or Veteran and want to learn more about mental health, book a Free 15-min Discovery Call with Richard Piekarckz-Vacca.
