DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS, 09 Nov ’23 (RBDF): The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Unit, in collaboration with the Force Medical Facilities and The Ministry of Health and Wellness, has successfully concluded a two-day Mental Health Crisis Intervention Training and Protocol Development Training in Psychological First Aid. This pivotal event took place on Thursday, 09, and Friday, 10 November 2023.
Presenters, Dr. Valarie Knowles and Dr. Wendy Fernander, led the training sessions, delivering dynamic, engaging, and informative sessions on Psychological First Aid. Their expertise played a crucial role in equipping first responders with the tools to adeptly navigate interactions with individuals, irrespective of whether they exhibit signs of mental illness.
This training initiative represents a strategic commitment to continually enhance the expertise, skills, and resilience of our first responders. By providing them with the necessary knowledge, we ensure they can respond effectively and compassionately to mental health crises.
Participants emerged from the training well-prepared to navigate complex interactions with individuals, both within and outside the scope of mental illness, embodying a holistic approach to mental health crisis intervention.
In addition to the recently concluded training, we are pleased to announce that protocols pertaining to crisis intervention and psychological first aid are currently undergoing finalization. These guidelines will further empower our first responders, enabling them to respond with utmost effectiveness to mental health crises and uphold the highest standards of care within our community.
The RBDF under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond E. King, is dedicated to the transformation of Defence Force personnel’s quality and capabilities. This commitment is rooted in the pursuit of excellence in leadership, which is demonstrated through professionalism. We strive to cultivate a High-Performance Workforce focused on Performance Excellence, fostering an inclusive working environment that empowers our personnel. Through meaningful involvement of service members, we share the responsibility for accomplishing the Defence Force’s Mandate.
(RBDF Photos By Able Woman Marine Raquel Miller)
