UNB launches program to help first responders cope with witnessing trauma

A new extended-learning program at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) aims to help first responders better cope with stress disorders brought on by witnessing traumatic events.

UNB’s ‘Strategic Resillience for First Responders’ program, in partnership with Langara College, looks at the potential of vicarious post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma in front-line workers.

Vicarious PTSD or trauma is encountered when front-line workers or first responders have to inform and support individuals, like family members, through traumatic events.

Halifax Regional Police chief Jean-Michel Blais attended the launch and spoke about his experience living with PTSD.

“It’s the totality of my career in policing in three different organizations — in the RCMP and the United Nations as well as with Halifax Regional Police — that has had me exposed to many and varied situations where my life was in danger, other individuals’ lives were in danger,” Blais said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's the totality of my career in policing in three different organizations — in the RCMP and the United Nations as well as with Halifax Regional Police — that has had me exposed to many and varied situations where my life was in danger, other individuals' lives were in danger," Blais said.

“Seeing people dying around me has resulted in that stress manifesting itself through PTSD.”

READ MORE: Mental health class now part of training for Halifax police officers

Blais says he’s had four of his police officers kill themselves. Having to tell two families about the officers’ deaths was hard, and seeing their responses broke his heart, he admitted.

Blais says one of his officers has already signed up for the course.

“It means the recognition that for first responders that we need this type of program. We need to have an awareness of the whole issue of occupational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder overall,” Blais said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It means the recognition that for first responders that we need this type of program. We need to have an awareness of the whole issue of occupational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder overall," Blais said.

Blais said witnessing trauma at work can also affect a persons family life.

“The whole idea is to be able to survive one’s career and to thrive post-career,” Blais said.

READ MORE: Report finds first responders experiencing PTSD rates similar to combat veterans

Core topics of the program include strategic endurance, herbal management for trauma, mindfulness for stress reduction and a course called “consciousness, breath and intentional movement.”