The DHSTogether Employee and Organizational Resilience Program enhances the health and well-being of all DHS employees. The program is bringing together stakeholders from across the Department to discuss best practices and cutting-edge concepts for addressing the full range of resilience issues. DHSTogether introduces the concept of resilience through a DHS-wide “Safety Stand Down.” This year, the program moves ahead with a comprehensive stress management and suicide prevention curriculum.
DHSTogether Stress Management and Suicide Prevention Training
At the Department of Homeland Security, we have the important mission of protecting our nation. To accomplish this mission, we work hard – around the clock, around the world. It is important in this environment to stay healthy to cope with the challenges we encounter, and to have support and resources available when we need them.
By participating in the 2011 DHSTogether Stress Management and Suicide Prevention Training you will learn:
- To identify signs that you may not be managing your stress in the healthiest ways;
- What to do if you notice that co-workers or friends seem to be struggling with their own life stress; and
- The steps you take if you are concerned that someone may be at risk for suicide.
DHSTogether Training Overview
The DHSTogether Employee and Organizational Resilience Initiative has launched its second annual DHS-wide training program, focusing on Stress Management and Suicide Prevention. Two tracks have been created – one for a general audience, and the other for law enforcement. The first two modules are identical for both, but for law enforcement, the third module is different, with a specific emphasis on issues related to the stressors of their work.
This training is mandatory for all DHS employees, and is currently available on DHS component learning management systems (LMS). A stand-alone version will be made available as well for workplaces where the LMS is not accessible to employees.
Training Goals
- Raise awareness
- Decrease stigma
- Increase help-seeking behaviors
- Increase life skills
- Increase helping skills
Modules
- Module 1: Stress management
- What is stress and how does it affect us
- How do we know when we are not handling our stress effectively
- What do we do when we identify a problem
- Module 2: Buddy check
- How do we know when people around us – co-workers, family, friends – are struggling with their stress
- How to have what may be a difficult conversation about your concerns
- Available resources
- Module 3a: Suicide prevention for non-law enforcement personnel
- At the extreme end of the stress management spectrum, occasionally individuals find themselves in a position that they see no way to cope and they may become suicidal
- How do we know when someone may be at risk and what to do about it
- Module 3b: Suicide prevention for law enforcement personnel
- Law enforcement specific stressors and coping mechanisms
- Law enforcement specific concerns around seeking help, stress, and suicidality
- How do we know when someone may be at risk and what to do about it
How to Access the Training
All DHS federal employees should access the DHSTogether Stress Management and Suicide Prevention curriculum through their Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Employees may direct questions concerning the content of this training to dhstogether@dhs.gov, and any LMS technical questions to their servicing IT or LMS Help Desk.
Resource Guides
Resource guides - guides listed by component.
Additional Resources
- DHS Employee Assistance Page
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- National Institute of Mental Health
Questions and Comments
If you need any additional information, or you have comments regarding this training or the DHSTogether initiative, send an e-mail to: DHSTogether@dhs.gov.