Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and their support systems is being promoted in Petrolia next week.
The Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department has partnered with the Central Lambton Family Health Team to host a First Responders Mental Wellness Expo.
Chief Jay Arns said first responders are subjected to many events that can compromise an individual's wellbeing.
"Any single event on its own is enough to probably make you feel stressed, or anxious, or not sure where to go, or what to do," said Arns. "So, the entire concept of this was to help alleviate some of those stressors in life that we as first responders are exposed to in general, and just let people know that there are resources. You're not alone, this is all around us."
Arns said they've invited firefighters from all of Lambton County's member municipalities, Sarnia police, Lambton OPP and Lambton EMS.
"We've got our county-wide critical incident stress team for the fire service [attending], we've got Boots on the Ground, which is a national organization to help address mental wellness in first responders and then we have Brittney Veale coming in who specializes in counselling first responders and assistants."
Arns encourages the families of first responders to attend as well.
"Spouses, family members who are interacting with their first responders on a daily or regular basis, to help recognize indicators or [questionable] behaviour."
He said some first responders don't recognize symptoms until it becomes too late.
"We're hoping to break down those barriers and provide some tools for early recognition before it reaches that point."
Arns said first responders in Middlesex and Chatham-Kent are welcome to come as well.
"If you didn't get registered by March 30 as requested, it's no big deal. Show up at the door. We will not be turning anybody away."
The expo, at Victoria Hall on Greenfield Street, is being held Thursday, April 6, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
