Getting Psychological Help
Getting Psychological Help
What Are the Pros & Cons?
About the Video
Many of us work in a culture that maintains that we must stoically “carry on” or be perpetual heroes. In this conversation, Françoise Mathieu, Diana Tikasz, and Dr. Jennifer Russel discuss three questions submitted by our community about stigma and the “stiff upper lip”.
(00:40): I am a supervisor of a busy paramedic service. Although I want my staff to be healthy, I sometimes have trouble untangling the real sick calls from the ones who just don’t want to work hard. How can I be a supportive leader without getting the wool pulled over my eyes?
(07:39): Although I believe in reducing stigma around mental health, in my profession, it can still be a liability for future employment to have a label of anxiety, depression or substance-use. How do I get help when I’m worried about the negative repercussions on my career?
(12:17): I went to see a therapist through my EAP and it was not a great experience. They didn’t seem to know much about the nature of my job and they gave me superficial advice that might be good for an office worker but not for a frontline person like me. Why should I try again?
Recorded in December 2020 as part of the Psychological PPE Program.
About the Presenters
Françoise Mathieu
M. Ed, RP
Françoise Mathieu is an educator, speaker, and trauma-trained therapist. She is the author of The Compassion Fatigue Workbook, founding member of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Consortium, and the Executive Director of TEND.
Diana Tikasz
MSW, RSW
Diana Tikasz has worked in the teaching and health care sector for over 30 years and specializes in trauma-focused work. She is a TEND Associate and Organizational Health Specialist for the Roadmap to Organizational Health program.
Dr. Jennifer Russel
MD, FRCPC(C), MSW
Dr. Jennifer Russel is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. She is the Clinical Director of the Compass Program at BCCH, the first provider support program in Canada, and the Consulting Psychiatrist for the Physician Health Program in BC.
