What is First Responder Peer Support?
Whether you are in the Military, a Firefighter, Police Officer, or Paramedic, there is a high standard of excellence expected from you. Given many of the risks associated with service, there is deep importance in feeling a shared sense of belonging to something greater than these risks.
This is why support horizontally between peers and vertically with a chain of command is a critical component to the health of each member. Although experiencing a genuine sense of connection is crucial for mental health in First Responders, there is no clear definition of First Responder peer support.
Integration & Interest
–It is not only the responsibility of the member to actively engage with their new unit. It must also be a priority of their chain of command to adopt them fully.
When new recruits arrive or a Military or RCMP member is posted, for example, this represents an all too often neglected stress in First Responders. It is not only the responsibility of the member to actively engage with their new unit. It must also be a priority of their chain of command to adopt them fully.
Integration takes many forms, and this can be unique from unit to unit. However, the key is to build trust vertically with the chain of command and horizontally among peers through genuine interest. Addressing the importance of mental health in First Responders first begins with developing this trust in order that meaningful relationships are constantly matured in the unit.
Service necessarily involves a sense of shared support, communicated not only in words but actions. If there is a loss of confidence horizontally and vertically, it likely leads to a loss of personal confidence and only encourage disengagement. First Responder peer support involves not only an ability to notice a member “seems off” and might need help. It is a constantly developing process of building relationships and enhancing a sense of belonging.
–The key is to build trust vertically with their chain of command and horizontally with peers by taking a genuine interest in each member.
Reactions, Responses, & Relationships
–Developing a sense of unity helps build the confidence needed to face injuries inherent in service.
How we react to threats compared to others certainly varies. However, aside from our own levels of tolerance and life histories, the difference is by degree, not fundamental. What ever the tolerance, developing a sense of unity helps build the confidence needed to face injuries inherent in service. The existence of connection between members should never be taken for granted, especially by those in junior or senior leadership positions, when addressing not only performance but the mental health of each member.
–Although coercion is toxic, aloofness or overt negligence can be equally evil.
Although coercion is toxic, aloofness or overt negligence can be equally evil. If we acknowledge the importance of discipline and morale, we too must accept the need to always encourage the building of meaningful relationships among peers and with their chain of command. After all, if service allows us to take on a greater, collective identity, then permitting disengagement from this collective identity should consequentially harm unit readiness also, would it not?
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.
