COVID 19 MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT INFO

COVID 19 CORONAVIRUS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT INFORMATION

COVID 19 has presented everybody with a great deal of stress. These are troubling times for everyone. From a firefighter’s point of view we have a lot of things to consider like, being away from our loved one, the current health of our own families, exposure to the virus, financial implications just to name a few. Many of us may want to stick to utilizing our default defense mechanism of minimizing the severity of a situation. The COVID 19 panic that we see the rest of the world going through is not who we are.

On shift, with each other, we can provide that reassurance that everybody is overreacting. It’s just the flu. It no big deal. We mask up and continue to do our jobs. But, then we start to see more and more posts on social media. We see first-hand panicky mob mentality that starts to infiltrate our community. Store shelves are empty and guns and ammo purchases are on the rise. The markets are fluctuating dramatically and this looks to threaten our retirement safety nets (which will be fine in a few years). But, all these new truths start to chip away at our resolve. It can become increasingly difficult to use our default emotional defenses.

As we are on shift, our families worry. They may ask for reassurance and emotional support and our default responses can’t be "Suck it up buttercup". We may need to push past the “no F's left to give” emotional response and tap into the responses we give when shit hits the fan. ...Not our faults by the way. We are hard wired to have this ability to maintain a long and healthy career. Encourage you to be there for eachother to help normalize our current situation as it is fastly evolving each day.

So, as we push through this pandemic. We at Firestrong would like to provide you with some information to help you and your family.

We all know about Self-Care. We don’t want to hit you over the head with yet another list of things you already remind the people we run calls on.

But remember:

Talk to your families let them know how you are protecting yourself and them and why you are doing specific things or asking them to make certain decisions etc.
There are procedures in place to keep us safe.
Keep communication flowing.
Don’t assume that your families know why you are doing or thinking something.
Make sure they know how you are keeping yourself safe and them.
Realize that some of the National guidelines are causing financial issues, family and relationship tension, retirement concerns, sleep or anxiety issues.

Also resources:

Many therapists have moved their practice to utilize video based platforms for teletherapy counseling. If you think this would help you or your family please reach out to your EAP or healthcare provider. They will help you to connect to a therapist online. If things get too stressful for you please reach out to a Firestrong Peer Support Team Member. We have over 1000 of them now.
If you need to access a clinical support staff please email info@Firestrong.org
If you or someone you love is in Crisis and they need to talk to a clinical professional immediately call our Firestrong 24/7 support line 1.844.525.3473.

1. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel tired out for no good reason?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

2. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel nervous?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

3. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel so nervous that nothing could calm you down?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

4. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel hopeless?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

5. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel restless or fidgety?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

COVID 19 MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT INFO

COVID 19 CORONAVIRUS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT INFORMATION

IAFF Info page on Coronavirus:

IAFF VACCINE INFO PAGE:

CDC VACCINE INFO SITE:

PEER SUPPORT TEAM: Checking In With Quarantined and Isolated Members

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN QUARANTINED:

HELPING YOUR FAMILY COPE WITH COVID-19:

Managing anxiety with when face with COVID-19 pandemic:

Grief during COVID-19, Saying Goodbye to loved ones:

Link from the IAFF on Coronavirus Behavioral Health Considerations.

CDC guidelines on the possibility of getting COVID 19.

Link on the common symptoms of COVID-19 vs other illnesses.

Link for ONLINE Meeting for both AA and meeting for ANXIETY around COVID

We are here for you. Day or night. Keep Strong.

Firestrong

‘Since 2010’

1. Do you feel you are a normal drinker? ("normal" - drink as much or less than most other people)?
	No
	Yes

2. Have you ever awakened the morning after some drinking the night before and found that you could not remember a part of the evening?
	No
	Yes

3. Does any near relative or close friend ever worry or complain about your drinking?
	No
	Yes

4. Can you stop drinking without difficulty after one or two drinks?
	No
	Yes

6. Have you ever attended a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
	No
	Yes

7. Have you ever gotten into physical fights when drinking?
	No
	Yes

8. Has drinking ever created problems between you and a near relative or close friend?
	No
	Yes

9. Has any family member or close friend gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
	No
	Yes

10. Have you ever lost friends because of your drinking?
	No
	Yes

11. Have you ever gotten into trouble at work because of drinking?
	No
	Yes

14. Do you drink before noon fairly often?
	No
	Yes

16. After heavy drinking have you ever had delirium tremens (D.T.?s), severe shaking, visual or auditory (hearing) hallucinations?
	No
	Yes

21. Have you been arrested more than once for driving under the influence of alcohol?
	No
	Yes

4. Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
	No
	Yes

13. Have you ever neglected your obligations, your family, or your work for two or more days in a row because you were drinking?
	No
	Yes

15. Have you ever been told you have liver trouble such as cirrhosis?
	No
	Yes

17. Have you ever gone to anyone for help about your drinking?
	No
	Yes

18. Have you ever been hospitalized because of drinking?
	No
	Yes

19. Has your drinking ever resulted in your being hospitalized in a psychiatric ward?
	No
	Yes

20. Have you ever gone to any doctor, social worker, clergyman or mental health clinic for help with any emotional problem in which drinking was part of the problem?
	No
	Yes

22. Have you ever been arrested, even for a few hours, because of other behavior while drinking?
	No
	Yes

1. Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
	No
	Yes

2. Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
	No
	Yes

3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
	No
	Yes

COVID 19 MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT INFO

COVID 19 CORONAVIRUS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT INFORMATION

IAFF Info page on Coronavirus:

IAFF VACCINE INFO PAGE:

CDC VACCINE INFO SITE:

PEER SUPPORT TEAM: Checking In With Quarantined and Isolated Members

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN QUARANTINED:

HELPING YOUR FAMILY COPE WITH COVID-19:

Managing anxiety with when face with COVID-19 pandemic:

Grief during COVID-19, Saying Goodbye to loved ones:

Link from the IAFF on Coronavirus Behavioral Health Considerations.

CDC guidelines on the possibility of getting COVID 19.

Link on the common symptoms of COVID-19 vs other illnesses.

Link for ONLINE Meeting for both AA and meeting for ANXIETY around COVID

We are here for you. Day or night. Keep Strong.

Firestrong

‘Since 2010’

Alcohol Assessment

Alcohol Dependence Assessment

Anxiety & Distress Assessment

Depression Assessment

Drug Abuse Assessment

PTSD Assessment

6. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel so restless you could not sit still?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

7. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel depressed?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

8. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel that everything was an effort?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

9. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel so sad that nothing could cheer you up?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

10. In the past 4 weeks, about how often did you feel worthless?
	None of the time
	A little of the time
	Some of the time
	Most of the time
	All of the time

1. I was bothered by things that don't usually bother me.
	Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
	Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
	Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)
	Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.
	Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
	Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
	Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)
	Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with the help of my family or friends.
	Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
	Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
	Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)
	Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

4. I felt that I was just as good as other people.
	Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
	Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
	Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)
	Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.
	Rarely or none of the time (<1 day)
	Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)
	Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time (3-4 days)
	Most or all of the time (5-7 days)