Local Emergency Responders To Attend UNBC Forum

By 250 News

Approximately 50 people are expected to attend a forum featuring renowned workplace trauma experts at UNBC today.

The attendees include members of the Prince George Fire Department, volunteer fire fighters from the area, members of the RCMP, reps from BC Housing and the Elizabeth Fry Society.

Organizer, Dr. Shannon Wagner, says thoughts of workplace health hazards typically focus on physical risk and don’t recognize the potential mental health dangers that can exist.

A faculty member in UNBC’s Health Sciences Program, Dr. Wagner says, "Workplace traumatic exposure is a workplace hazard that is becoming recognized with respect to its potential for psychological implications."

She says the forum is meant to highlight the importance of workplace mental health and offer up developments in the field.  Among the featured speakers are:  Dr. Lynn Alden, who will be speaking about post-traumatic stress in Hospital Emergency Department Medical Staff;  Andrew White, who will discuss how Worksafe BC adjudicates Mental Stress Claims;  and Dr. Wayne Corneil, who will talk about thinking outside the box when it comes to moving from routine emergency respone to crisis management.

The forum begins in Room 7-158 on campus at 9am this morning.

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