Department of Health Policy, Management & Leadership, School of Public Health, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9190, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Department of Occupational Therapy & Occupational Science, College of Health Professions, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Linthicum Hall, Towson, MD, 21252, USA.
Community Ment Health J. 2023 Oct;59(7):1341-1351. doi: 10.1007/s10597-023-01121-1. Epub 2023 Mar 22.
This study examined opportunities and challenges faced by individuals working to advance mental health policy and programming for first responders. We utilized qualitative content analysis and interviews with 16 firefighters, emergency medical services professionals, law enforcement officers, and others involved in programming or policy in the U.S. state of Ohio. Six themes characterized opportunities and challenges encountered: (1) variations in programming and policy exist across jurisdictions; (2) opportunities exist to enhance mental health awareness and self-care training for first responders; (3) need exists for specialized mental health clinicians accustomed to and capable of effectively working with first responders; (4) confidentiality protections are lacking for peer supporters not trained in critical incident stress management; (5) having an internal champion and broader support is key to program and policy advancement; and (6) interdepartmental collaboration provides opportunities for sharing resources and best practices. Results illustrate continued need for strategic policymaking, program development, and coordination.
本研究考察了致力于推进急救人员心理健康政策和计划的个人所面临的机遇和挑战。我们利用定性内容分析和对美国俄亥俄州的 16 名消防员、紧急医疗服务专业人员、执法人员和其他参与该州项目或政策的人员进行的访谈，总结出了六个特征鲜明的机遇和挑战主题：（1）不同司法管辖区的项目和政策存在差异；（2）有机会提高急救人员的心理健康意识和自我保健培训；（3）需要专门的精神卫生临床医生，他们习惯并能够有效地与急救人员合作；（4）缺乏未经危机会谈管理培训的同伴支持者的保密性保护；（5）拥有内部拥护者和更广泛的支持是项目和政策推进的关键；（6）部门间协作提供了共享资源和最佳实践的机会。研究结果表明，仍需要进行战略决策制定、项目开发和协调。
