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IAFF releases mental health resource ‘The Power of Family & Connection’

The resource highlights five pitfalls that firefighters should avoid in order to protect their mental health and strengthen their family and social connections

Father And Children Lying On Sofa At Home

Father And Children Lying On Sofa At Home Holding Son Up Smiling

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By FireRescue1 Staff

WASHINGTON — The International Association of Fire Fighters recently released a new resource focused on firefighter mental health.

Written by Dr. Rachelle Zemlok, “The Power of Family & Connection: A Lifeline for Fire Fighter Mental Health” highlights the importance of social connections, details the link between suicide and social connectedness, and underscores how stressors impact personal relationships. Dr. Zemlock also shared five pitfalls that firefighters should avoid in order to protect their mental health and strengthen their family and social connections.

Dr. Zemlok is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in supporting and educating first responders and their spouses. She is also the wife of a career firefighter and a FireRescue1 contributor.

Download the resource here, and find additional information on the IAFF’s Behavioral Health Resource Guides page.