Let’s Chat: Heroes in first responders

By Linda Tooth on April 16, 2025.

The unthinkable has happened in our community as a family has lost their teenage son to suicide.

As a stepparent to two boys now in their 20s, I have witnessed the struggles they faced when navigating not only their teenage years but also their mental health.

My heart and the hearts of everyone in this community goes out to the family.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what happens to the first responders who are called out to help families in times of crisis and horror? Many of them are parents with young children of their own.

As a communications instructor who works with first-year students in the helping professions (social work, paramedicine, nursing, child and youth care and criminal justice) I work hard to instill the importance of communication (both verbal and nonverbal) when dealing with people as they navigate unimaginable circumstances.

Topics such as loss and grief, empathy, listening and cultural awareness are just a few of the topics we discuss. We do our very best to prepare them for their careers, but what happens to them once they are on the streets dealing with the unimaginable? How do they pick up the pieces and move on to the next call?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compassion fatigue, and burnout are real among these professions. These people put their lives on the line every minute of every day they are working and sometimes when they are not working. According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is defined as “a mental health condition that’s caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event.”

Some symptoms include intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions. The RCMP has undertaken a study to understand how PTSD and operational stress injuries occur within their members.

This 10-year study, called “Longitudinal Study of Operational Stress,” began in 2019 and will follow cadets from their time at Depot to their first five years in service.

Those taking part in the study are completing a daily, monthly, and annual survey with a follow-up by a clinical psychologist. Dr. Gregory Kratzig, director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at Depot states, “They’ll likely experience traumatic events in the first months, weeks, if not days, after being deployed to the field.”

By taking part in the survey any changes that happen can be measured and dealt with accordingly. The timing of this study is critical as in 2018 the RCMP found that nearly 1/3 of participating members experienced symptoms consistent with PTSD.

Mental health is real and everyone, regardless of their career. The RCMP believe what they are doing will support the employee’s mental health.

To everyone reading this article, please look after yourselves and hug your children and grandchildren. Let them know they are loved because you might not get a chance tomorrow.

Have a Meowtastic Day and keep reading.

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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