Welcome to my blog Because We R Warriors,
The intention of this blog is to create Mental Health Awareness and awareness of our rights as per the OHS Act 85 of 1993, for all our first responders, and to enforce the implementation of proper Mental Health Programs that actually work, made up of Medical Professionals, such as Clinical psychologists specializing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). The umbrella of first responders would include all of us dealing with continuous traumatic situations, multiple times on a shift, from the scene all the way to the receiving doctors and nurses, in the emergency trauma units.
The other intentions of my blog are to discuss how to become a good leader, that can be trusted, understand the difference between a leader and a manager. Further to this, my blog will be discussing important issues such as Mentorship, Situational Awareness, Debriefing, First Responder Safety, Crew Resource Management (CRW), Conflict Resolution, Mental Health First Aid, and various supporting legislation.
Do we have adequate professional Mental Health Programs available for first responders in South Africa? This question has been a bone of contention for many years.
In my own personal experiences and from what first responders have shared with me, the answer is a resounding NO!
As human beings, we are not supposed to be in a permanent adrenaline state. To have adrenaline coursing through your body 24/7 is unnatural to the body. In fact, is it harmful both physically and mentally and we will explore this in more detail?
The question therefore is, why do employers of first responders expect their first responders to work at this pace and exposure, without some form of a proper Mental Health Program? I am not talking of the EAP - Employee Assist Programs, in my opinion, with my own experience and feedback from hundreds of first responders, exists on paper or in the boardroom. The EAP does not actually carry out what it is supposed to, relying on 'counselors' who have never actually worked on the road, nor medically trained to deal with the turbulence of emergency workers' mental state. How do they then understand what we are going through?
I will explore this in more detail in subsequent posts.
Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993
We also need to ask ourselves why do we not receive adequate mental health support? Why are our Fire Departments, Ambulance Services, Law Enforcement, and Hospitals who employ us, not held to account for the failure of not fully implementing the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and having their COIDA system operating within the Act?
Let us look at the purpose of this act which is "To provide for the health and safety of persons at work and for the health and safety of persons in connection with the use of plant and machinery; the protection of persons other than persons at work against hazards to health and safety arising out of or in connection with the activities of persons at work; to establish an advisory council for occupational health and safety, and to provide for matters connected therewith". Direct Quote (South Africa 1993: p2). We will explore the Act in more detail in other posts.
Why are the 4 weeks of post-trauma exposure not taken more seriously, by employers and employees alike, when the scientific evidence clearly shows that if a first responder receives counseling within the first 4 weeks of the incident, the chances of developing Post Traumatic Stress, are drastically minimized?
Why are the officers and/or line managers not professionally trained to understand mental health issues and spot the warning signs in their teams?
Why are we as first responders, not trained to spot the warning signs in ourselves and in our colleagues?
There has been some global research, indicating quite strongly, that when the first responders, who were together on the same incident, share their experiences and talk it out with each other, can assist more than speaking to someone, who has absolutely no idea what actually happened on the call.
Why are there no regular workshops on Mental Health Issues and education carried out at the workplace? Why is there no ongoing support for the first responder and their families?
Why once first responders take that first courageous step to raise their hand for help, are they victimized by their line managers and management, to the point, that the victimization perpetuates PTSD and CPTSD?
Work Situation and home situation: This victimization can lead to the first responders either committing suicide, turning to narcotics, drugs, and alcohol, or being forced to resign, take early retirement or go on disability. How often have we witnessed our peers coming drunk to work, becoming more aggressive and increasing anger outbursts, sometimes rather violent ones, or using narcotics to cope while on duty, gambling problems, to name a few?
The work stress and demons will eventually follow them home, to the only stability the first responder has. When this breaks down, divorce, affairs, and a family has been ripped apart. They are now all alone without support from the employer or family, what is left? What does management do, charge you, fire you instead of looking at the root cause of the outcome? Therefore reacting to the signs and symptoms rather than treating the root cause of the situation.
Why is there no accountability to the employer when an employee commits suicide? Surely if they work as firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders their suicide MUST be investigated by the Police, OHS, and COIDA officials on whether the employer assisted and supported the deceased in a mental health program. Were they victimized? Did the employer follow the OHS Act 85 of 93, if not then they must be held accountable for the employee's suicide?
The same must be said about a Firefighter/EMT and other first responders who have been boarded off on disability, due to PTSD or CPTSD. If you have had to go on disability before your retirement age, the employer must pay your medical aid and your basic salary for lifel
Employers that employ first responders had gotten away for far too long in South Africa for not following the Basic Conditions of Employment and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
Debriefing: Why is there no professional training available, to teach leaders how to debrief correctly, and understand the different types of debriefing and, when and where to use them? Understanding the importance of Critical Incident Debriefing, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Follow up Debriefing, and Peer Debriefing Process for Critical Incidents is crucial, for the state of mental health of the teams and to prevent the trauma from progressing into a debilitating disorder.
Why do Medical Aids not cover PTSD and CPTSD and the subsequent medication and treatment?
Resources Consulted
South Africa. 1993. Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Cape Town: Government Printer.
Available:
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/act85of1993.pdf
Accessed on 2022/02/20