Bolstering Frontline Responder Resilience at the 19th Annual Institute for Disaster Mental Health Conference

Mental Health Awareness Month - in Action! A couple of weeks ago, amidst the rolling hills of Hyde Park, New York, at the National Culinary Institute, my colleague Megan Wassef and I found ourselves immersed in a dynamic convergence of minds at the 19th Annual Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) Conference. Picture this: a gathering of cross-disciplinary professionals like frontline responders, mental health experts, and leaders, all united in a shared mission—to fortify communities in the face of adversity while nurturing the resilience of those who stand on the frontline.

Our journey kicked off at "The Arena," a riveting day-long session led by Travis Gribble Sergeant Travis Gribble, a seasoned law enforcement veteran, and the insightful Jennifer Cooper, a therapist, and subject matter expert on the delivery of care to the law enforcement community. Together, they shared their stories and experience and expertise focused on the vital importance of destigmatizing mental health support within the field of law enforcement. Sergeant Gribble's 25-year odyssey through the trenches of law enforcement served as a reminder about the importance of shifting the workplace culture that discourages seeking help while also focusing on how to work through traumatic events.

As the conference unfolded, we were treated to a variety of different perspectives. Dr. Carl Dickens, an Operational Psychologist from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, took center stage to dissect the nuanced challenges of "Meeting the Moment" during and after critical incidents. His insights included a focus on the complexities facing responders and victims alike in the wake of disaster. Following his lead, Sergeant Christopher J.A. Scallon shared information from his multifaceted career, offering insights in vicarious trauma awareness and resiliency. His message? Empathy is not a weakness—it's a superpower.

In our own presentation, "Recovering After a Disaster: Examining Trauma, Suicide Risk, and Postvention," we examined the mental health aspects of recovery and the importance of identifying and addressing post-disaster trauma, early on. We highlighted techniques such as how to identify and address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the risk of suicide that stems from a disaster and how to navigate postvention. We practiced how to screen for suicide using the Columbia Protocol Kelly Posner Gerstenhaber. We discussed tough issues like how to overcome law enforcement sub-culture around avoiding help seeking and not talking about trauma even when you're struggling.

As we bid farewell to Hyde Park and returned to DC and daily life, one truth resonated above all others: the imperative of prioritizing mental health and wellbeing, not just in times of crisis, but as an ongoing commitment to ourselves and our communities. For resilience is not just a destination—it's a journey we must work on together, one step at a time! Deloitte Government & Public Services Rosemary Williams Meaghan LeMay Margaret Anderson (she/her) JT Reale Jennifer Doyle, DBH, MHA, PMP Tina Atherall, DSW, LMSW