me, in the first module: is this not just another thing I already have?

We did it!!! 16 SafeTALK workshops at the Kitchener Fire Department. 99% of their front line team is now trained in suicide alertness. We hear a lot about police and OPP suicides in the news. Not so much about other first responders even though the rates are almost just as high. But these are stats we can change. The first step is awareness. KFD has chosen the proactive approach. And after 16 workshops we are well equipped to start the work of training other departments thanks to these ground breakers!!! They should be incredibly proud leading the way to open the conversation around suicide before waiting to be reactive. I'm so proud of each and every KFD firefighter. We had so many groups we have many more photos to share but didn't want to hold off on giving a huge shout out to the 16th and final group of KFD SafeTALK certified members. Congratulations everyone. You worked hard for this moment!!! ❤️🚒👩‍🚒👨🏽‍🚒 #safetalk #kfd #kpffa #suicideprevention #firefighters @dc_rmartin @bootsontheground__ @ivegotyourback911 (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5d6ihlnCkg/?igshid=c1a1ali1eym2

Fight and flight can save our lives. If there's a fire, for example, we absolutely want flight to kick in to help give us the adrenaline boost we need to go out of the building and call 9-1-1. But, everything has two sides. What about when its kicking in but there isn't an actual threat: only a perceived one? Sometimes that's what happens with thoughts of suicide. And the person may not be making a choice in that state that they would if that perceived threat was not present. If someone refuses to get connected to a resource who can help them plan how to stay safe from thoughts of suicide when they have that threat on their life, the conversation may then need to sound something like, "If you head out that door I'm going to have to call 9-1-1 because I'm not willing to take a chance on your life. Or, you could come sit with me and we could work together to figure it who could be the best support for you right now." If they're able to sit down with you they're likely starting to think more rationally. If they're not, flight may have kicked in and that person may do something they'd otherwise regret. As much as possible we want to help people feel empowered to make decisions around the supports they need. Like calling a crisis line. Talking with a counsellor. Connecting with an ASIST-trained caregiver in the community who can teach them safety planning. There is a time and a place for 9-1-1 and that time is when harm is already, or about to happen. Even when someone can't keep themselves safe right now we can still find ways to give them choice. "Shall I call 9-1-1 or will you sit down and talk with me?" "It seems like you don't feel you can keep yourself safe tonight. Shall we call for paramedics to come take you to the hospital/in-take centre, or shall we go in my car?" "Would you prefer to go to the hospital or shall we set up 24 hour monitoring at home? We can decide who will take shifts around the clock keeping an eye on you until you can keep yourself safe again." "We need to get you to the respite centre. Would you like to grab your jacket or should we just head out now?" Even in tough circumstances find ways to include choice. @dc_rmartin #asist #safeTALK (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5XlSDAnCCg/?igshid=11j590gyhjq2m

Front line workers in blue. Today we kicked off session 9 of 16 #safeTALK workshops at the Kitchener Fire Department. One of the many things I appreciated about this group was their engagement when it came to learning about suicide awareness. We talked about resources that could help them support their families (like @kidshelpphone and @good2talk ) their communities (like putting suicide bereavement resources in the hands of those who have just been bereaved by suicide. Postvention = Prevention.) and other first responders (like Breakwater Institute, @bootsontheground__ and the internal #CISM team). This group is prepped and ready to go! Well done today, everyone!!! Our communities are in good hands with you! @dc_rmartin (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5WcxX-HTqR/?igshid=pxbkvbqm08ai

We had a bit o' fun today after the morning #SafeTALK session at the Kitchener Fire Department. Congrats to cohort #7. Your efforts today were admirable. Here is a crew who showed up ready to learn some life-saving skills today. Well done everyone!!! .. @dc_rmartin #firefighters #kfd (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B45_pJYHfxq/?igshid=uljod3kk028o

We're back this week running more #SafeTALK workshops at the Kitchener Fire Department. Here's a group who's not afraid to share resources and encourage them for others. Here's a group who sees the wisdom of using supports and being a support for others. These are the game changers who have started the work of shifting first responder culture towards a culture that seeks its own support and welcomes mental health dialogue. Courage. Heart. Strength. That's what showed up today. .. #suicideprevention #safeTALK @dc_rmartin #ontheshouldersofgiants #ivegotyourback911 #firefighters (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B45Qs9HHgUy/?igshid=1nw8aolni3yqf

"A problem shared is a problem halved." This was shared by one of the #SafeTALK participants at the Kitchener Fire Department. What a nugget of wisdom! Really, so much relief can be gained when we start talking about what we're really going through. In SafeTALK we focus on raising our awareness that someone might be experiencing thoughts of suicide, how to ask about suicide, LISTEN (even if we only have a short time make it QUALITY time,) and then how to connect the person with someone who can keep them safe, often by working with them to develop a safePlan. .. Congratulations to this third cohort. Thanks for sharing your wisdom in the room. .. @dc_rmartin #humanshelpinghumans #suicideprevention #mentalhealthawareness #ivegotyourback911 #firefighters (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4j_rf9nhC1/?igshid=jtr3l538g70f

Surrounded by an amazing crew at the Kitchener Fire Department. These are members of the 2nd KFD team to be trained in #SafeTALK. .. In first responder culture it's not unusual that strong reactions become the biggest barrier to talking about suicide. Here are two things to consider when a strong reaction comes up to the question about suicide. .. 1) Keep in mind that anger is a secondary emotion. If you're met with anger or hostility get curious about what's driving that strong emotion. Anger can be a protective response. Does the person feel safe enough to be honest with you about their answer? Are they concerned that they might be treated differently or browned out if people knew they were having thoughts of suicide? Which brings me to the second thing to consider. 2) How we talk about suicide in general, and those experiencing thoughts of suicide teaches people what they can and can't share with us. Experiencing thoughts of suicide is part of the HUMAN experience for MANY people. It's part of our body and our brain's way of telling us something needs to change. NOT that you need to die, but you need to talk about it, get supports, and find healthy outlets for pain and loss, and learn how to keep yourself safe. There are many people living day in and day out experiencing thoughts of suicide who are more than capable of doing their jobs and having our backs. And others, just like with a physical health issue like the flu or being diagnosed with a serious illness, who may need to be off for a few days or a longer period of time. The important thing is supporting a path back to mental wellness. Mental wellness looks different person to person and varies in every situation. Don't let strong emotions hold you back from asking about suicide. All that tells us is we need to do a little more work in helping the person feel safe enough to answer us honestly knowing it doesn't have to change the relationship between us. Or, maybe it should. Maybe we should value those relationship even more because the person had the courage to let us in. Earned trust comes through consistency and reinforcement that we value the STRENGTH that exists in VULNERABILITY! (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iCifBnIGe/?igshid=tgno3yuv4frx