Are there warning signs in your department you’re missing? In this episode, learn five red flags that signal it’s time to build—or rebuild—a peer support team that actually works.

Is your department ignoring the signs that your people are struggling?

When good people are burning out, leaving the job, or silently suffering through trauma, it’s not “just part of the job.” It’s a red flag. And if you don’t have a trusted, structured peer support team in place, the damage may already be happening under the surface.

Many organizations don’t act until something breaks—but by then, it might be too late.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through five warning signs that show your agency needs a peer support program—and what happens if you choose to ignore them. Whether you’re thinking about starting a team or realizing the one you have isn’t working, this episode gives you the clarity (and push) to take action.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The five red flags that reveal a lack of peer support
• What happens when you don’t act early enough
• How to turn things around with a team your people will actually trust

You don’t have to wait for tragedy to do the right thing. You can start building the support your team needs today.

Share This Episode: https://survivingyourshift.com/34

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 33: https://survivingyourshift.com/33

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QPR Suicide Intervention Training

Peer Support & CISM Training Info

Citations:

(2023, April 26). First Responders Suffering in Silence. Common Ground. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://commongroundhelps.org/first-responders-suffering-in-silence/

(2024, October 31). Peer Support for First Responders: Insights from an Expert. FHE Health. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://fherehab.com/learning/peer-support-first-responders

FEMA (2019, October 19). Strategies to Improve Firefighter Mental Health Awareness in the Dayton Fire Department. Fema.gov. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/pdf/efop/efo250715.pdf

360 Counseling (2024, March 12). The Silent Struggle: Mental Health Challenges Among First Responders. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://clearwater360counseling.com/the-silent-struggle-mental-health-challenges-among-first-responders

If you're receiving value from this podcast, consider becoming a monthly supporter—your gift helps me keep producing these practical episodes. Become a supporter today.

Connect with Bart

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bartleger

Facebook Page: facebook.com/survivingyourshift

Website: survivingyourshift.com

Want to find out how I can help you build a peer support program in your organization or provide training? Schedule a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting with me here.

What is peer support—and why does it matter so much in high-stress jobs? In this episode, you’ll learn how it works, what it’s not, and why it’s saving lives on the front lines.

Ever wonder what peer support actually is—and why it seems like everyone’s talking about it lately?

Too many departments are using the term without really knowing what it means—or how to make it work. Worse, some well-meaning programs fail because they weren’t clearly defined or supported.

And if you’re thinking of starting a team—or you already have one that feels stuck—there’s a good chance the problem isn’t the people. It’s the lack of clarity, training, or purpose.

In this episode, I break down what peer support is, what it isn’t, and why it matters more than ever for first responders, medical professionals, and anyone working in a high-stress profession.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• What peer support is—and why it’s not the same as being a good friend
• The difference between Crisis Intervention Peer Support (CISM) and Comprehensive Peer Support
• The practical steps to build or improve a peer support program that actually helps

Whether you’re just getting started or trying to level up your existing team, this episode gives you a roadmap to do it right.

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Share this episode

Schedule a free discovery call

QPR Suicide Intervention Training

CISM and Peer Support Training Info

Citations:

Jessica N. Jeruzal, Lori L. Boland, Monica S. Frazer, Jonathan W. Kamrud, Russell N. Myers, Charles J. Lick & Andrew C. Stevens (2018): Emergency Medical Services Provider Perspectives on Pediatric Calls: A Qualitative Study, Prehospital Emergency Care, DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2018.1551450

(2025, May 7). A Qualitative Study on the Design and Implementation of a First Responder Operational Stress Injury Clinic. PubMed Central. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12059418

(ND). A Day Like No Other: A Case Study of the Las Vegas Mass Shooting. New Mexico Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://nmdhsem2024-cf.rtscustomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Las-Vegas-Mass-Shooting-Case-Study-by-NV-Hospital-Association-2018.pdf

(2025, January 15). Frank Leto—Success Stories from FDNY’s Counseling Service Unit | S5 E3. First Responder Center for Excellence. Retrieved August 2, 2025, from https://www.respondertv.com/s5-e3-success-stories-from-fdnys-counseling-service-unit-wit

If you're receiving value from this podcast, consider becoming a monthly supporter—your gift helps me keep producing these practical episodes. Become a supporter today.

Connect with Bart

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bartleger

Facebook Page: facebook.com/survivingyourshift

Website: survivingyourshift.com

Want to find out how I can help you build a peer support program in your organization or provide training? Schedule a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting with me here.

Peer support can save careers—and lives. This episode reveals why Surviving Your Shift is narrowing its focus and how it will equip you to build a strong peer support culture in your organization.

Are you tired of seeing your coworkers burn out, break down, or just barely get by, and wondering what you can do to help?

You’re not alone. Many first responders and frontline professionals feel called to support their peers, but don’t know where to start—or if they’re even qualified.

This episode marks a big shift in the podcast. We’re going all in on peer support—what it is, why it works, and how to do it well. Whether you’re part of a peer support team or thinking about starting one, this show is now your go-to resource.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL FIND OUT:

• Why peer support isn’t just “nice to have”—it’s essential to saving lives, money, and morale
• What kind of stories, guests, and training you can expect in future episodes
• How you can share your own story to help shape a practical guide for building peer teams that actually work

We’re not just talking about culture change—we’re helping you lead it.

OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Bart’s email: bart@survivingyourshift.com

Send Bart a voicemail: survivingyourshift.com/voicemail

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Bart: stresscaredoc.com/consultation

Sources

(n.d.). 2024-Suicide-Prevention-Stand-Down-REV. Www.Iaff.org. https://www.iaff.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Suicide-Prevention-Stand-Down-REV.pdf

(2024, December 9). The RISE (Resilience in Stressful Events) Peer Support Program: Creating a Virtuous Cycle of Healthcare Leadership Support for Staff Resilience and Well-Being. PubMed Central. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11639878/

(2023, March 8). Work-related posttraumatic stress disorder in paramedics in comparison to data from the general population of working age. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151248/full?utm_source=chatgpt.com

(2025, April 21). First Responder Suicide Rates, Mental Health Crises Rise. Government Technology. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.govtech.com/em/safety/first-responder-suicide-rates-mental-health-crises-rise?utm_source=chatgpt.com

(2025, April 14). String of law enforcement suicides rattles first responders and exposes gaps in state support. Kera News. Retrieved July 30, 2025, from https://www.keranews.org/health-wellness/2025-04-14/string-of-law-enforcement-suicides-rattles-first-responders-and-exposes-gaps-in-state-support?utm_source=chatgpt.com

If you're receiving value from this podcast, consider becoming a monthly supporter—your gift helps me keep producing these practical episodes. Become a supporter today.

Connect with Bart

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bartleger

Facebook Page: facebook.com/survivingyourshift

Website: survivingyourshift.com

Want to find out how I can help you build a peer support program in your organization or provide training? Schedule a no-obligation call or Zoom meeting with me here.