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Further to the goal of ensuring free mental health awareness training capacity across Canada in the program of choice of CAFC members, CAFC, through a generous offer from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is offering seats in two Train-the-Trainer workshops. This opportunity will train and certify 30 Peer Instructors. The first course date has been confirmed for November 7-10, 2022 from 11-5 EST. The second course will be confirmed shortly. 

This program follows similar offerings with the CMHC’s Working Mind and the CIPSRT/DND R2MR programs. The CAFC currently has no preferred program of choice but recognizes the diversity in mental health awareness programs being delivered across the country. Our goal is simply to ensure that all members have access to some recognized form of mental health awareness training for their fire departments.

Resilient Minds™ is a 4-day virtual program that covers and includes:

• Comprehensive overview of the latest literature on psychological injury, stress, trauma, and resilience;
• Trauma-informed curriculum and toolkit to recognize early signs of psychological stress in self, peers, and citizens and how to promptly, safely and appropriately respond, de-escalate and resource;
• Self-awareness – how to strengthen one’s own resilience by building valuable and helpful coping strategies;
• Interactive Instructor Manual with over 50 different group activities to choose from and robust resources customized for fire fighters;
• Scheduled presentation practice time followed by a formal Candidate Assessment process for certification;
• Facilitation by two subject-matter expertise Master Trainers with ongoing mentorship and support from the CMHA and National Resilient Minds team.

• 100% gained applicable and new knowledge on psychological trauma and psychological disorder;
• 100% learned to better manage stress and increase personal resilience;
• 97% felt better equipped to respond and support a colleague showing signs of a psychological distress or illness;
• 96% were more prepared to respond to a member of the public who may be struggling with a psychological health issues.

• Deliver countless 8-10 hour Resilient Minds courses to their peers with no license fee, and with only the purchase of participant workbooks at $20/workbook;
• Engage in National Community of Practices to knowledge exchange and discuss best practices with peers across the country;
• Build internal capacity to support the psychological health and wellness of fire fighters, for both career and volunteer.

• Be a CAFC member in good standing
• Have experience in adult education and prior experience/training with instruction such as but not limited to “Fire Instructor 1”;
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver content and effectively engage a group;
• Show the ability to provide excellence and a professional representation of CMHA;
• Work collaboratively in a way that is culturally safe and trauma-informed.

Register yourself or you staff/firefighters here.