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Article posted on June 1, 2025

Supporting Your Mental Health After Dealing with a Medical Emergency

 

Medical emergencies can be a shocking and jarring event for all those involved, from the patient to the bystanders and rescuers. Any emergency situation can have negative effects on an individual’s mental health, but in particular, Cardiac Arrests can have serious and long-term impacts to all those involved.

Different people may respond to this trauma in different ways, but it’s important to recognize those feelings and react accordingly. 

Signs of stress to watch out for include:

  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, aches and pains
  • Distancing from family, friends and colleagues
  • Emotional distress such as increased anger, irritability and anxiety
  • Struggling to focus and remember
  • Withdrawal from normal activities
  • Feeling empty, isolated, guilty, shameful or listless


After a traumatic event, if you notice yourself or others showing signs of distress, be sure to take action. Some, or all of these can be done to improve overall mental well-being:

  • Understand that these are normal responses to traumatic events, it’s ok to not be ok sometimes
  • Talk to a trusted friend or family member (for their benefit, don’t share specifics or gory details- just discuss the response you are having to the event)
  • Engage in healthy behaviours such as hydrating and eating nutritious food
  • Take part in manageable physical activities, such as walking, swimming or other light movement
  • Follow a routine and stick to your normal activities and environments whenever possible


Most importantly, know when to seek professional help. If these other coping mechanisms have not had a positive impact on your well-being, then it’s time to reach out. There are some supports and resources listed below. 

We encourage anyone involved in a serious incident to consider accessing some kind of support, whether that be Peer Counselling, internal Employee Assistance programs or these resources.

Or please visit the following websites:

 

National PTSD Awareness Day is June 27, 2025. This day raises awareness and recognizes the effects posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has on the lives of those impacted by it.

PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a traumatic event, either experiencing or witnessing it. Common symptoms include flashbacks, unwanted thoughts, dreams or nightmares of the trauma, physical responses (such as difficulty breathing), severe anxiety, strong negative emotions (such as fear, anger, guilt, or shame), and a loss of interest in doing things once enjoyed. Symptoms of PTSD can develop immediately after the event, but they can also develop weeks, months, or even years later.

Click here for more information about PTSD.

PTSD can be treated, so seeking help is important. The following resources provide information about PTSD and mental health support and services in Canada:

Mental health support: Get help

Mental Health Services

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder


The Government of Alberta has a program that provides first responders’ mental health grants for eligible non-profit or public sector organizations. Learn more about this program and the application process here.

Improving our understanding of the reality of the symptoms of PTSD can help reduce the stigma. If you or someone you love is experiencing any challenging symptoms, please seek professional support.

 

 

References:

211 Alberta - //ab.211.ca/

Canadian Red Cross -  www.redcross.ca/blog/2019/1/reducing-mental-health-stigma-responding-to-mental-health-crisis

Canada Mental Health Association - www.cmha.ca, www.alberta.cmha.ca/documents/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

Government of Alberta - www.alberta.ca/first-responders-mental-health-grants

Government of Canada - www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.html, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services.html, www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada - www.heartandstroke.ca/services-and-resources/social-and-peer-support

Kids Help Phone - //kidshelpphone.ca/call/

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - //www.camh.ca

Statistics Canada - www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/1272-national-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-awareness-day

 

 

Last Updated: Sunday, June 01, 2025


Calgary, Alberta, Canada