PEER

SUPPORT:

The answer is both yes and no. 

For Peer Support to work, it must become a culture and not just another program; it must encompass whole health: mind, body, and spirit. The culture of Peer Support that first responders most need right now is one that educates and provides resources that support a balance of mental, physical, and spiritual health, because the best research shows that all three of these domains are effected by the stress and trauma of the job. 

The ideal first responder Peer Support Programs of today are overcoming disruptive stigmas regarding mental health among first responder peers by being programs that over much more. Through strategic marketing and proactive performance, resources for non-mental health support can create a paradigm shift of perspective on peer support. In a nutshell, if peers turn to Peer Support for non-mental health support, they are far more likely to reach out when there is a mental health need.

Peer Support will not work if it is haphazardly tossed together and rolled out to peers as some sort of better-than-nothing approach. 

Peer Support will not work if its purpose and mission rests upon a mechanism of reactive mental first aid, with no proactive operation. 

Peer Support will not work if it continues its one dimensional approach to peers by focusing more on the treatment of issues, rather than the prevention of them in the first place. 

WHAT EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH VALIDATES BENEFITS OF FIRST RESPONDER PEER SUPPORT?

Studies show that peer social support and cohesion function as protective factors for troops exposed to combat-related stressors, such as PTSD. Social support from peers in the period shortly after traumatic stress exposure has proven a protective factor for U.S. soldiers exposed to sexual assaults and other trauma.

(Martin L, Rosen LN, Durand DB, et al. Psychological and physical health effects of sexual assaults and non sexual traumas among male and female United States Army soldiers. Behavioral Medicine. 2000;26: 23–33.)

Several studies of Vietnam veterans found that returning veterans who experienced greater peer social support showed less PTSD than those who, for various reasons, were more isolated from their fellow soldiers. Summarized research from multiple studies indicates that cohesion in military units is associated with continued good performance under stressful conditions. 

(Stretch R. Post-traumatic stress disorder among US Army Reserve Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans. J. of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1985;53:935–936.)

Aside from research, the obvious conclusions exist: peers are more likely to be in tune with other peers, more likely to trust other peers, and more likely to open up to other peers.

HOW DOES MINDING THE BADGE PEER SUPPORT TRAINING HELP?

In collaboration with psychologists, therapists, and first responders, our curriculum was developed under the scrutiny of over 30 years of first responder Peer Support. Despite its longevity, the incidents of mental and behavioral health issues among first responders has only increased. Instead of asking what it is we have been doing wrong all along, our approach has been to ask what have we not been doing at all.

We then examined what the best Peer Support programs in general are doing around the world, not just first responder programs. We extracted data we felt was applicable and went to the drawing board to blueprint our curriculum to integrate what we felt was missing most from first responder Peer Support programs. Some significant changes have been the implementation of preemptive dynamics: proactive and reactive resiliency training, as well as the shift to a whole health program mission, rather than simply a mental health one.

WHAT EXACTLY IS PREEMPTIVE RESILIENCY?

Preemptive resiliency is the use of methodical disciplines to create a buffered resolve against future adversity in anticipation of its inevitability. The methods are proven to reduce the impact of mental injury or avoid injury, altogether.

Our resiliency curriculum is developed from the most credible research on the neurophysiology of the stress and trauma response, Neuroplasticity and its role in resiliency and recovery, and real world clinical experiences in the field. The methods we teach have been proven in other high-stress/high-risk fields for decades.

A Peer Support Team that has a foundation of preemptive resiliency will not only better help their peers, they will better help themselves.

WHAT IS YOUR PEER SUPPORT TRAINING PLAN?

Trusting us with the development or improvement of your Peer Support program begins with a relationship. We assess your needs based on various factors such as budget, size of department, and the current phase and operation. Through a series of scheduled conference calls prior to the training, we work with you to help create the framework for a basic Peer Support policy or plug in the gaps on any existing policy. After the training, we provide free consultation and quarterly video streamed meetings with your Peer Support Team and Advisory Board.

For details on our Peer Support Training Curriculum, visit our TRAINING SECTION