CRISIS ATHLETE™
New groundbreaking research!
Mozaik Solutions collaborated with the Journal of Emergency Management, Harvard University, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Nova Southeastern University to conduct the Comprehensive Stressors and Mental Health Survey for Emergency Management and Affiliated Professionals in October 2021-March 2022.
Research Overview | 2023 Journal Article
research Overview
Survey Participants
In fall 2021, survey participants had just survived the second full year of COVID on-again, off-again, on-again activation, on top of local hazards and incidents.
We asked participants to tell us their thoughts on the industry-wide stressors, challenges, and current state of mental health of professionals in emergency management and affiliated fields.
We want to help change the profession from the inside out.
However, we need a baseline assessment to see where people are at and how that cross-cuts among different jurisdictions (domestic and international) – where are we seeing the biggest needs and the biggest challenges.
Survey Tool
The JEM Stressors and Mental Health Survey (SMHS) was designed to quantify the mental health of emergency managers using the validated Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS). The Emergency Response Questionnaire (ERQ), a validated survey, was used to confirm personality type of the respondent.
The data collected will be used to establish baselines and support analysis and research on how we can better lead, support, recruit, retain, and grow as emergency management professionals and organizations capable of meeting the increasing demands of tomorrow.
Invitations were sent to over 22,000 people.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Surveying mental health stressors of emergency management professionals: Factors in recruiting and retaining emergency managers in an era of disasters and pandemics
Sonny S. Patel, MPH, MPhil; Kim Guevara, MA; T. Lucas Hollar, PhD; Richard A. DeVito, Jr; Timothy B. Erickson, MD, FACEP, FACMT
Journal of Emergence Management, Volume 21, Number 5, September/October 2023
Survey results are undergoing continued analysis. Journal article #2 is anticipated for publication in late 2024. Stay tuned!
A FEW THOUGHT-PROVOKING FINDINGS
The Stressors and Mental Health Survey (SMHS) was designed to quantify the
mental health of emergency managers using the validated Secondary Traumatic Stress
Scale (STSS). The Emergency Response Questionnaire (ERQ), a validated survey, was used
to confirm personality type of the respondent. Organizational type, education, and many
other factors are assessed to determine their effect on the EM’s mental health, their ability to
function efficiently and effectively, and their propensity to leave the field.
Emergency Managers with untreated or undertreated Secondary Traumatic Stress are almost three times more likely to leave the field
Organizational Culture directly impacts an Emergency Manager’s mental health and their propensity to leave their job or their field completely
Respondents who had directly managed between three and five disasters had nearly two times the odds of reporting considering leaving the field
Respondents with graduate degrees had nearly four times the odds of reporting leaving the field
52.9% of respondents have MILD SEVERE Secondary Traumatic Stress
53% feel guilt, sadness, anguish or anger if they can't save everyone during a disaster
62% of Emergency Managers considered changing jobs DURING the pandemic (42% before)
69% considered a job in a different field completely
Nov 1, 2023 Webinar
STRESSORS AND MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY: Factors in Recruiting and Retaining Emergency Managers
The webinar presented the latest findings from the recently Journal of Emergency Management Stressors and Mental Health Survey and published paper.
2023 IAEM Conference Poster
Summarized the research process and key findings
International Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA
Want to learn more?
Contact us for more information on how we can leverage advances in neuroscience to understand human behavior, cultivate growth, and get results for you and your organization.
