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First Responders

Influential Businesswoman Awards

Barbara Rubel Receives Speaker of the Year 2024 Award

By Barbara Rubel Awards, First Responders, Mental Health
The Influential Businesswomen awards, presented by Acquisition International (AI), are being held for the ninth year to honor all of the award recipients and their achievements. Each year, Acquisition International honors and highlights the accomplishments of the most remarkable and inspirational female business leaders from all over the world. For the second year in a row, Barbara Rubel has been given the First Responder Mental Health & Wellness Speaker of…
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dial 911

International Stress Awareness Day

By Barbara Rubel First Responder Stress, First Responders, Law Enforcement, Stress, Work-Family Conflict No Comments
International Stress Awareness Day is the first Wednesday in November Would you recommend your profession to others? High stress occupations are EMT, 911 operators, military, medical, firefighters, and police officers. No matter what your job is, your reaction to stress is a risk factor for the development of depression. Mental strain can make you feel unsafe both at work and at home. If you are a first responder, you know…
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looking for a friend

Thwarted Belongingness, Perceived Burdensomeness, Hopelessness, and Cognitive Distortions for First Responders

By Barbara Rubel First Responders, Mental Health, Suicide Prevention No Comments
For all first responders whether law enforcement, emergency medical personnel or paramedics, or firefighters, there is a connection or link between thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, hopelessness, and cognitive distortions. Thwarted Belongingness According to Thomas Joiner's interpersonal psychological theory of suicide, feeling like you don’t belong and that you are a burden can trigger suicidal thoughts. When a person lacks deep relationships with those around them, they are lonely and socially…
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law enforcement officers

Encouraging Law Enforcement to Seek Mental Health Support

By Barbara Rubel First Responders, Law Enforcement, Mental Health No Comments
LEOs are not asking for mental health support. Let’s work on changing that. Law enforcement officers (LEOs) face common mental health issues and often believe that treatment is effective, but professionally risky. They may fear a fitness for duty evaluation (FFDE) if they self-disclose that they need the help of a mental health professional. They may feel anxious about the possibility of losing their job. Masculinity within police culture can…
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police officers

How Family and Friends Can Support a First Responder’s Mental Health

By Barbara Rubel First Responders, Law Enforcement, Mental Health, Work-Life Balance No Comments
Synergy When a first responder eats healthily at home and gets eight hours sleep, and works on their physical health, their job is positively impacted.  By the same token, when they are satisfied with their job and feel supported in their role, their family life is positively impacted. Whether you are a friend or family member, you can help them find synergy in their life and impact their well-being. Synergy…
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Influential Businesswoman awards

Barbara Rubel Receives Influential Businesswoman Award

By Barbara Rubel Awards, First Responders
For the 8th year Acquisition International (AI) has hosted the Influential Businesswomen awards to celebrate all the winners and their accomplishments. Every year Acquisition International showcases the most exceptional and inspirational female business leaders from around the world by honoring and highlighting their achievements. Acquisition International is proud to announce that Barbara Rubel has been awarded: Most Influential First Responder Keynote Speaker 2023 (USA): Barbara Rubel ...in the Influential Businesswoman…
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law enforcement

Addressing Psychological Risks of Law Enforcement Officers: Mental Health at Work

By Barbara Rubel First Responders, Law Enforcement, Mental Health No Comments
I created a vicious trauma-approach that puts the law enforcement officer (LEO) at the center of issues related to well-being and suicide prevention. I care deeply about preventing suicide in LEOs as my father, a sergeant, died by suicide after he retired. I found meaning in his suicide by focusing on mental health, wellness and resilience in first responders. Vicarious-trauma informed practices are policies that focus on ways to lessen…
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