PFANJ Peer Support

Responder Mental Health During COVID-19

Mike Somma – PFANJ Peer Support Coordinator

Ways We Respond to Stress

Behavioral

Psychological or Emotional

Physical

Cognitive

Social

Psychological or Emotional

Feeling euphoric or invulnerable

Denial

Anxiety or fear

Worry about safety of self or others

Irritability or anger

Increased sense of humor / gallows humor

Restlessness

Sadness, moodiness, grief or depression

Feeling overwhelmed, helpless or hopeless

Feeling isolated, lost, lonely or abandoned

Apathy

Feeling misunderstood or unappreciated

Fear for family health, safety, and security

Periods of crying

Hyper-vigilance about safety or the surrounding environment

Physical Increased heart rate, blood pressure, respirations

Upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea

Increased or decreased appetite (accompanied by weight loss or gain)

Sweating or chills

Tremors or muscle twitching

Muffled hearing

Tunnel vision

Feeling uncoordinated

Headaches

Sore or aching muscles

Light sensitive vision

Lower back pain

Feeling a “lump in your throat”

Easily startled

Fatigue, loss of concentration, lack of sleep

Change in sexual desire or response

Change to menstrual cycle

Hair loss

Worsening of pre-existing health issues

Worsening of mental health issues

STRESS CURVE

Cognitive Memory problems / forgetfulness

Disorientation

Confusion

Slowness in thinking, analyzing or comprehending

Difficulty calculating, setting priorities or making decisions

Difficulty concentrating

Limited attention span

Loss of objectivity

Inability to stop thinking about the virus outbreak or specific incident related to exposure

Social Responders

Self isolating

Living outside of the home (garage, hotel, or tent)

Not being able to be with others

Not being about to participate in usual activities

Difficulty listening

Difficulty in problem solving

Blaming

Criticizing

Intolerance of group process

Difficulty giving or accepting support or help

Impatient or disrespectful to others

Impact On Responders Many responders face

PTSD

Depression

Anxiety

Burnout

In comparison to the SARS outbreak and the Ebola outbreak

the situation with the response with COVID-19 is not

different yet poses a more significant mental health effect on

responders and medical practitioners.

To Avoid Mental Health Effects of

COVID-19 Avoid excessive exposure to related media coverage

Maintain a healthy diet

Maintain a positive lifestyle

Reach out to others for comfort and consolation

Maintain a sense of positive thinking and hope

Take time to unwind

Remind yourself the feeling of fear, panic and anxiety will

fade

Seek information from a reputable government source and

watch out for the social media erroneous information

Resilience Is a person’s ability to adapt to the difficulties and stresses of

life and to “bounce forward” in the aftermath of a traumatic or

distressing event.

This is based on a responders past experiences and coping

mechanisms they have built from past experiences.

It also refers to a person’s ability to return to his or her former

situation after having experienced a lengthy period of stress.

Resiliency in Crisis

Calm the mind – Pay attention to what is going on around

you, catch your thoughts as they begin to run away. When

we focus on the present we deepen our capacity to cope.

(mindfulness)

Look out the window – it is important to unhook when you

have the time. Sometimes we tend to bury ourselves in

work, take on additional jobs, always want to be the

helpers. Although pitching in helps in the short term, not

paying attention to self care needs will hurt in the long run.

Connect with others – We are 1st Responders, no one

knows us better than us. The sole purpose of peer support

is we are all going through this together. Just talking it out,

talking about our concerns can help.

IAFF Mental Health Panel Set up ways for responders to get factual information from the

union / department – GroupMe App = JCFD is using the app so members can: Post their test results and symptoms – this eliminates rumors and substitutes

facts.

A board for member assistance – those who are quarantined for the 14 days with positive tests can post what they need and members have stepped up to drop off meals and supplies (including grocery shopping)

A message board for general information including new updated department guidelines on disinfecting of quarters and apparatus as well as PPE, department response guidelines, return from sick leave and additional testing. We have even included where we have found cleaning supplies and PPE outside the department supply.

Set up hotels or places for responders who are concerned about exposing family members who are considered “at risk” Hotels for Hope

Heart of Hilton

OYO Hotels - East Hanover NJ

Diamond Resorts – Brigantine Beach Club & Esplanade Suites Wildwood

Call local hotels to see if they can provide a special rate

Online groups for AA are available

We have put out the numbers for PFANJ Peer Support Members throughout New Jersey

IAFF Center of Excellence Firefighter & Family Crisis and Support Line

(844) 525- FIRE (3473)

PFANJ Peer Support

Program Coordinator Mike Somma – Local 1066

(201) 214-0877

IAFF Telemental Health

Warriors Research Institute(WRI) Dr. Suzy

Gulliver (no cost to IAFF members)

(254) 716-6208