International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance

11/14/2025

Introducing the next CSRP Webinar: What Are Crisis Hotlines and How Do They Work? Featuring speakers from 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Samaritans, Inc., and Crisis Text Line!

Join Dr. Shairi Turner, Chief Health Officer at Crisis Text Line, on December 19 for this important conversation.

🔗 Register here: https://crisistextline741741.com/3JTiv9o

11/14/2025

Introducing the Dr. Anne Balboni Orb of Hope Award ✨

We are honored to announce the Orb of Hope Award, named after Dr. Anne Balboni, Psy.D., Clinical Director & CISM Instructor for USA Operations at ILCIRA.

Dr. Balboni has dedicated her career to supporting first responders, lifeguards, and aquatic professionals through trauma-informed care and critical incident stress management. This award recognizes individuals who embody her spirit of compassion, resilience, and leadership—those who go above and beyond to support the mental health and well-being of their teams and communities.

Through this award, we celebrate the power of hope, advocacy, and the profound impact that one person’s dedication can have on countless lives. 🌟

11/12/2025

This , NAMI is reminding all caregivers with loved ones experiencing a mental health condition: don't forget to practice self-care, too!

This , we're reminding all caregivers with loved ones experiencing a mental health condition: don't forget to practice self-care too.

If you're a caregiver in need of support, NAMI Support Groups are here for you. Learn more about how to connect with others who share your lived experience at nami.org/supportgroups

11/09/2025

“Leaders need to start asking, ‘How are you?’—and then remain silent when an employee talks,” Fekete shared. “Listening is not waiting for our opportunity to talk.”

Read more about Listening As Leadership here: https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/how-leaders-can-create-mentally-healthy-workplaces/

11/08/2025

Keep going!

If you ever need a little extra motivation, NAMI’s Hopeful Notes can help. Get a small dose of hope delivered to your inbox three times a week.
Subscribe today: mailchi.mp/nami/hopefulnotes

11/07/2025

Meet Dr. Sam Fien – Research Team Member, ILCIRA

🌊 We’re excited to introduce Dr. Sam Fien, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer at CQUniversity, Australia, and National Well-being Advisor for Surf Life Saving Australia.

Dr. Fien brings a wealth of expertise in lifeguard well-being and organizational health. Her research focuses on promoting resilience, mental health, and safety for aquatic professionals around the globe. 🌟

Her work with ILCIRA helps ensure that lifeguards and aquatic staff have the evidence-based support they need to thrive—both on the job and in life.

11/06/2025

In 2022, a national survey found that about 60 million American adults – approximately 23% of the U.S. adult population – were living with a mental illness, defined as a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder.

This translates to a nearly 37% increase over the past decade.

These conditions can have a profound and lasting effect on patients’ lives, including their ability to engage meaningfully and sustainably in the workforce.

Globally, depression and anxiety are estimated to lead to 12 billion lost working days annually, costing an estimated US$1 trillion per year in lost productivity worldwide and $47 billion in the United States.

Read more here: https://theconversation.com/navigating-mental-illness-in-the-workplace-can-be-tricky-but-employees-are-entitled-to-accommodations-259802

11/05/2025

Let’s zoom in on some key parts of the brain that light up during trauma:

🧠Amygdala: The brain’s “alarm system,” triggering fight, flight, or freeze responses.
🧠Hippocampus: Helps process memories, but stress can make details fuzzy.
🧠Prefrontal Cortex: Our reasoning and decision-making center—can go offline under high stress.

Understanding these systems helps explain why reactions to trauma are so varied and why support matters. Over the next slides, I’ll break down each region with visuals to make it even clearer.

11/03/2025

Ever wonder what happens in the brain when someone experiences trauma? 🧠
Over the next few posts, I’ll be sharing slides that break down how different parts of the brain respond to stress and trauma. From the amygdala’s “alarm system” to the prefrontal cortex’s role in reasoning and regulation, these insights can help us better understand ourselves and others.

Think of this as your mini-guide to the brain in action under stress—knowledge that’s powerful for first responders, lifeguards, clinicians, and anyone supporting others through tough experiences.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll start diving into specific brain regions and what they do during trauma.

11/03/2025

As we recognize International Stress Awareness Week, we join The American Institute of Stress (AIS) in encouraging everyone to pause and reflect on how stress impacts every aspect of our lives at home, at work, and in our communities.

More than 55% of Americans report feeling stressed daily, reminding us that stress is a shared human experience. But not all stress is harmful. When managed well, eustress (positive stress!) can motivate us, sharpen focus, and support personal and professional growth.

We understand the unique stresses faced by lifeguards, aquatic professionals, and responders. This week, we invite you to take a mindful moment to check in with yourself and your team!

11/02/2025

Your brain has an incredible ability to heal—and the right strategies can help you reclaim balance and resilience.

🧠 Therapy: EMDR, somatic experiencing, and trauma-focused CBT can help rewire the brain.

🧘 Mind-Body Practices: Meditation, yoga, and breathwork reduce amygdala activity and strengthen prefrontal cortex functioning.

🤝 Social Support: Building supportive connections is key to long-term healing.

Recovery is a journey—but with the right support, it’s always possible.