‘Getting Better Together’ workshop supports spouses, family members of first responders

A new workshop held Thursday by the Lethbridge Police Service in partnership with Diversified Rehabilitation Group was geared toward supporting the spouses and family members of first responders.

The “Getting Better Together” workshop included police, firefighters and paramedics, along with their families.

First responder families face unique challenges and make significant sacrifices as their loved ones manage operational stress, anxiety and depression.

The workshop focused on developing healthy coping strategies and fostering open communication within families.

“About 67 per cent of first responder marriages collapse. That’s a huge number, and my mission here today as we go across the country … is to challenge that number and to create a space where first responder couples will keep it together,” said Derek Sienko, Diversified Rehabilitation Group chief mental-health officer.

“If they’re whole at home and they have a good relationship, they can continue to serve the community and, more importantly, as I was mentioning to them, they can continue to move on with their retirement and have a great life after the job that they do today,” said LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh.

The workshop also provided families with tools and resources to build resilience and maintain mental wellness.