Managing Stress During the Holiday Season
December 8, 2020
The holidays can be a stressful time for firefighters, EMS providers, and their families, and the pandemic is adding to that stress this year. The NVFC has several resources to help you, your crew, and your family manage stress and focus on your mental health to help you through this holiday season and beyond.
Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals: If you need help, reach out. This directory lists local providers who are ready and equipped to help first responders.
Facebook Discussion on Managing Stress During the Holiday Season: Watch the recording of this important discussion with Jeff Dill of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, Ali Rothrock of On the Job and Off, and author and firefighter Hersch Wilson as they explain why holidays are stressful for responders and what you and your department can do to manage this stress.
Recorded Webinars: The NVFC has released a series of webinars on behavioral health topics. Watch the recordings for free.
- Holidays and First Responders: How to Deal with Increased Stress
- Reset and Recharge: Taking Care of Our Mental Health in Uncertain Times
- Reset and Recharge: How to Manage Stress in Uncertain Times
- It Could Never Happen Here: Suicide and the Volunteer Fire Department
Courses: The NVFC Virtual Classroom includes courses focused on behavioral health. All courses are free for NVFC members.
- Stress & Life Management: Finding Your Life Balance as a Volunteer
- Behavioral Health for the Fire Service
- Addressing Substance Abuse, PTSD, and Other Concerns in the Fire Service
- Preventing and Coping with Suicide in the Fire and Emergency Services
Getting a Handle on Stress: This article by David Ballard for the NVFC Helpletter provides tips and strategies to help emergency responders manage stress.
The Mindful Firefighter: This article by Hersch Wilson for the NVFC Firefighter Strong newsletter addresses how mindfulness can be used as a stress reduction tool for firefighters and EMS providers.
Warning Signs to Know: This video helps first responders and family members recognize the symptoms of five common behavioral health issues.
Talking to a Responder in Need: This video provides tips on how to talk to a fellow firefighter, EMT, or emergency responder in need.
Find additional tools and resources to focus on behavioral health from the NVFC’s Share the Load program at www.nvfc.org/help.
