When work stress and personal problems intensify, a typical emergency responder often copes by working harder.  By pushing aside the true problems, an individual can wake up one day to discover he/she is extremely stressed.  When one continues to manage by working harder, feelings of burnout start to overtake that individual.  Burnout enters the picture when an individual works hard but feels cheated of rewards expected from work.  In this depressed state, it becomes tempting to do the absolute minimum amount of work to get by.

Any worker can experience stress and depression related to ongoing problems or an incident that did not go well.  By pausing to analyze what’s going on, a responder can practice healthy self-care techniques.  This can also involve reaching out for appropriate help from others.  Coping with extreme stress requires self awareness in changing one’s thoughts and approach to problem solving.  Medications may also be indicated to counteract long-term depression.   This CE course helps any EMS worker develop coping skills to counteract extreme stress. 

Coping with Extreme Stress by Judi Hopson

In this course, participants will learn powerful self-help strategies to improve how they think and react to problems. Information discussed will include how to formulate a plan of action to address a stressful issue. In addition, learners will obtain critical thinking skills for acquiring help from other people, including how to gain professional help, if needed, when stress escalates.

To access this course for free, click here and go to our catalog and select “Free Course” from the dropdown.