Wildland Firefighter FoundationArticles

A Letter from the Mental Health Director

December 21, 2023

To all wildland firefighters and those who respond to wildland fires, we hope the fire season treated you well and you are able to take some time to rest, recover and be with those you love over the holidays. We want to acknowledge the tough and important job you do. What you do is both […]

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On Grief and Grieving: Understanding, Coping, Healing

October 26, 2023

Understanding, Coping, Healing Grief is a universal human experience, yet it is one of the most challenging emotions to navigate. It is an intricate emotional process that occurs in response to loss, and it can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. In this article, we will explore what grieving is, its impact on […]

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Common Types of Therapy

August 11, 2023

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps focus on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of therapy that helps individuals learn skills to manage their emotions and improve their relationships. Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: IFS is a type of therapy […]

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10 Self Care Tips

July 27, 2023

Each of us is responsible for our own wellbeing both mentally and physically. The more aware we are or can become about our own needs the more we can take action towards keeping ourselves healthy. It can be a challenge to make time for ourselves and to take care of ourselves. If we brush aside […]

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Alternatives and Compliments to Therapy

June 15, 2023

Mental Fitness is not thought of in the same way we think of staying physically fit. We do P.T. and strength train; we do cardio, run, go on hikes and add in calisthenics, like pushups, pull ups and burpees. We warm up and cool down with stretching all in an effort to keep ourselves at […]

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The Stigma of Mental Health in the Wildland Community

May 8, 2023

Wildland firefighting is a physically demanding and emotionally challenging job. While these brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect our communities and forests, they also face the risk of experiencing traumatic events that can impact their mental health. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health and trauma often makes it difficult […]

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Coping with Grief

January 22, 2019

My life is turned upside down. I feel like I’m in a choking fog and I can’t get out. When we lose someone, our lives are turned upside down. We want our ‘normal’ back, our family and friends want the “old” you back. We don’t want to feel this pain anymore and we are in […]

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