After the Call's Nick Halmasy wrote 3 opinion articles on how to develop a “cognitive lifestyle” to keep using the skills & tools you gained from mental health training: Part 1: Understanding Stoicism Part 2: The Emotional Part 3: Managing Read More
Opinion
Opinion Piece by Nick Halmasy: The Re-Construction of an Icon in Firefighting
Nick Halmasy (After the Call, Clinical Practitioner) discusses how switching from a salty to a Stoic approach in the fire service can help improve firefighters' mental wellness. To read piece: click here Read More
OPINION | Stress from above: When the hall, not the call, is the stress.
The Oversight of Organizational Stress in Fire Departments BY: Nick Halmasy The main emphasis for firefighter distress has focused on calls. The stories we tend to hear have an “index” (main) trauma that we can trace back to the onset Read More
OPINION: Why PTSD focus isn’t enough
Missing the point about mental health in firefighters BY: Nick Halmasy It has been several years since the reality of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) exploded into public knowledge. This closeted reality within the fire halls is now widespread knowledge. PTSD Read More
OPINION: When harmful memes catch fire on social media
Educating firefighters to knock down the spread of misinformation BY: Nick Halmasy There was no shortage of opportunities to feel failure in the fire service. Due to the fast-paced, unpredictable manner of the work (from medical calls to structure fires), Read More
Opinion Piece: What About the Barrel?
Nick Halmasy (After the Call, Clinical Practitioner) discusses the ways that organizational polices and practices can support firefighters' mental health. To read the piece: click here Read More
Opinion Piece: Nick Halmasy on “A Diagnostic Dilemma”
Nick Halmasy (After the Call, Clinical Practitioner) discusses the diagnostic use of "disorder" vs. "injury" for post-traumatic stress disorder. To read the piece: click here Read More
Opinion Piece: Nick Halmasy on “Our Culture – a Defense and Critique”
Nick Halmasy (After the Call, Clinical Practitioner) discusses what the fire service culture can and can't do for firefighters' mental health and wellness in his opinion piece, "Our Culture - a Defense and Critique." To read piece: click here Read More