In this episode, we hear from Thomas R. Thomson, the Access Specialist and Disaster Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. He discusses how an agency can prepare itself for a disaster, increase employee resilience, and serve the community in a time of need.
Psychological First Aid
Offered through the website Coursera, this 7-hour course introduces students to the RAPID model of Psychological First Aid (Reflective Listening, Assessment of Needs, Prioritization, Intervention, and Disposition).
Creating Safe Scenes Training Course
This free 1-hour online course helps first responders assist individuals in crisis with mental illness or substance use disorder using safe, positive approaches.
Service to Self
This 1-hour online course is specifically for fire and emergency medical services personnel. Accredited CAPCE, the course addresses occupational stressors; mental health and substance use issues including depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidality, and alcohol use; individual and organizational resilience; and healthy coping mechanisms including demonstrations of stress management techniques.
First Response
This 1-hour online training course was developed in response to the impact of the opioid crisis on first responders across the country.