Mental Health Resilience & Self-Care
Being a First Responder is a stressful job, and learning how to cope with stress is an important part of caring for yourself and the people close to you. These resources provide practical information, tools and strategies to help you manage stress, build resilience, maintain balance during difficult times and protect your mental health.
Learn about mental health
 | The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health provides signs, symptoms, and treatment options for depression. |
 | Health Association of African Canadians – Mental Health Resources Offers mental health resources, with links to more tools at the Public Health Agency of Canada. |
 | Online tutorials from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health are a good starting point for learning more about your mental health. |
 | Mental Health Conditions (NS Health) Information on the signs and symptoms of 16 mental health conditions. |
 | Mental Illness and Addictions Index – Center for Addiction and Mental Health An alphabetical listing of mental health conditions and the various forms of addiction. |
 | Psychology Works Fact Sheets from the Canadian Psychology Association Helpful facts on several mental health conditions. |
 | PTSD – Canadian Mental Health Association Learn about post-traumatic stress disorder: what it is, who it affects, and how to treat it. |
 | Twenty six recommended practices that organizations can apply to better support mental health. |
 | Substance Use and Gambling – Mental Health and Addictions NS Here you can learn more about various forms of addiction. |
Build resilience and care for yourself
 | iCAN tool for anxiety and depression (Strongest Families) Provides life skills to overcome anxiety, help with depression, and cope with major life stressors. |
 | The Canadian Center for Mental Health offers advice for boosting mental resilience. |
 | Staying Emotionally Healthy Guide (PDF) This guide offers strategies to help you take care of your mental health. |
Support others and your workplace
 | Tips for how to support a loved one who has experienced a traumatic event. |
 | Helping Troubled Coworker (PDF) Advice on how to reach out to a co-worker you have concerns about. |
 | How to develop Peer Support Policy and Program (PDF) Advice on how to develop a peer support program in your organization. |
 | These workplace programs and courses can help you develop capacity within your organization to support a First Responder who is experiencing a mental health issue. |
 | Stay at Work/Return to Work Package (PDF) Tools and strategies for leaders to support safe and timely return to work. |
 | Useful advice for Managers and Supervisors to support employees' mental health. |
Looking for additional information or support? Explore our full range of mental health resources to find tools, services and information that may be helpful to you or someone you care about.