Dispatcher Mental Wellness

Class Description:

The "Dispatcher Mental Wellness" class is a specialized training program designed to address the unique mental health challenges experienced by 911 dispatchers. In this class, participants will explore various strategies to promote mental well-being, cope with job-related stressors, and foster resilience in their demanding roles. Through a combination of informative sessions, practical exercises, and supportive discussions, participants will gain valuable insights and tools to prioritize their mental health and enhance their overall well-being.

Key Learning Objectives:

1. Understanding the Impact of Understaffing: Participants will explore the consequences of understaffing on mental well-being, operational efficiency, and job satisfaction within the dispatch center. Attendees will learn strategies to mitigate its negative impact and advocate for resource allocation improvements.
2. Managing Hold Time Anxiety: This class will equip participants with coping mechanisms to manage hold time anxiety, a common stressor among dispatchers. Through relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and stress management strategies, attendees will develop resilience in handling high-pressure situations and maintaining composure during peak call volumes.
3. Addressing Vicarious Traumatization: Participants will learn to recognize and address vicarious traumatization—a secondary form of trauma resulting from exposure to distressing incidents through their work. By implementing self-care practices, establishing healthy boundaries, and seeking professional support when needed, participants will safeguard their mental well-being and prevent long-term emotional distress.
4. Combatting Burnout and Compassion Fatigue: This class will explore strategies for identifying and mitigating burnout and compassion fatigue, prevalent challenges in the demanding field of emergency dispatch. Participants will learn self-care techniques, boundary-setting skills, and the importance of peer support networks in managing and preventing burnout and compassion fatigue.
5. Coping with Poor or Absent Leadership: Attendees will gain tools to navigate challenges related to poor or absent leadership within the dispatch center. Through assertiveness training, effective communication strategies, and seeking external support resources, participants will learn to advocate for themselves and their teams while fostering a positive work environment.
6. Increasing Confidence: This class will also focus on enhancing confidence levels among dispatchers, trainers, and supervisors. Through skills development and the attending of diverse training participants will bolster their self-esteem, resilience, and ability to perform effectively in their roles.

Delivery Method:

Employing a compassionate and interactive approach, this class incorporates a blend of informative lectures, group discussions, experiential exercises, and self-care techniques. Participants will engage in open dialogues, share experiences, and learn practical coping mechanisms to foster mental resilience and well-being in themselves and their teams.

Rules:

Online students are required to keep their cameras on, showing their face, throughout the entirety of the class. Students who exceed more than one hour of missed class time will not receive credit for the course and will have to retake it at a later date.

Target Audience:

This course is specifically designed for dispatchers, supervisors, and 911 administrators who seek to prioritize mental wellness within their respective roles. Whether grappling with the daily pressures of dispatch operations or overseeing teams facing challenging circumstances, participants will benefit from the holistic strategies and support offered in this class.

Outcome:

Upon completion of the "Dispatcher Mental Wellness" class, participants will emerge equipped with a deeper understanding of the mental health challenges inherent in emergency dispatch and the tools to effectively address them. By fostering a culture of self-care, resilience, and mutual support, attendees will contribute to the creation of healthier work environments, reduced burnout rates, enhanced job satisfaction, and increased confidence in their ability to navigate the complexities of their roles.

Length of Class:

8 hours

Cost per Student:

Daytime (8am - 5pm EST) $175

Evening (4pm - 1am EST) $250