This is a very interesting concept — a couples workshop (or therapy or counseling?) for firefighter families. Daycare provided.
Firefighters have a lot of stress to deal with, but so do their spouses.
We have no more information about this than what is available in the tweet, and therefore can’t endorse it. But, maybe this concept will be useful and if so, could spread like wildfire. (sorry)
I hear all the time we need a couples class. So here it is. I’m a therapist married to a fire fighter for 23 years and I counsel all first responders. So I get it on several levels. Cal fire peers will be there to provide daycare. No excuses pic.twitter.com/Eqho4y0mZp
— Mynda Ohs, PHD (@1fully_involved) January 11, 2019
The firefighting agencies and departments should provide this service. It is in their best interests to have healthy employees that can be depended on who can serve out their full careers in spite of stress and difficulties. It could even have a positive effect on the astronomically high suicide rate among firefighters. Arguably, the investment might even save departments money in the long term.
This period during the shutdown of 40 percent of the government would be a good time for something like this. It makes the scheduling easier and could address the additional stress of the layoff and possible financial problems.
We also should remember that not all firefighters are part of a couple.
Couples therapy sounds like a great idea. Anyone who has a very challenging career needs to be able to talk about and work on their stress. Even first responders, cancer doctors and the like are finally beginning to figure this out. It is an act of bravery to face the situation, not an act of cowardice like we once believed.
Embrace this chance to grow as a family and as individuals. We will all be richer for it.
Thank you from La Veta, Colorado.
Survivors of the Clear Creek fire.