Mental Health Support Program
The first mandate of the Fire Fighter Cancer Project is the creation of a mental health support program, including counseling and resources, specific to fire fighters and their families who are impacted by cancer.
In collaboration with our partners Wellspring (Canada) and CancerCare (US), we will deliver high-quality, credible, and accessible support to first responders with all cancers.
Both programs are created with direct input from representatives of the fire fighting community. From training the counsellors and facilitators to helping inform on the lived experience, their unique experiences in this profession are critical to ensuring the support programs deliver the care that truly addresses their needs.
Key features of the program include:
- A direct line to support through a 1-800 number that is specific to this program for the fire fighter community, staffed by professional social workers who have been trained in the work of the fire services.
- Resources, counselling, end of life support and other professional services depending on the needs of the individual accessing the care.
- In Canada, a customized peer support program that features trained volunteers who provide compassionate, personalized care to fire fighters with cancer and their family members.
- In the US, a support group structure for those that want to gather (virtually) and share experiences and receive support from one another.
- Aggregate reporting to allow for rich evaluation on program reach and uptake. This will allow us to grow and expand based on the true needs of the community.
Programs and Resources
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