First Responders
First Responders & Public Safety Personnel (PSP)
Historically, First Responders include paramedics, police officers, special constables, firefighters and are the first to arrive and/or provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. In Canada, we also include other people that fall under the umbrella of public safety personnel (PSP), which include correctional workers and call centre operators/dispatchers.
In a 2017 Canadian survey 44.5% of first responders screened for one or more symptoms of a mental health disorder.
Below is a list of common mental health concerns faced by First Responders:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Major depressive disorder (MDD)
- Panic disorder (PD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)