Physical & Family

Family Resilience Hub

Resources for spouses & kids — shareable guest link.

For spouses, partners, parents and kids

This page is open to guests — share it with the people who support you at home.

Living with shift work

•Post a shared calendar so everyone knows sleep days, overtime and holidays worked.
•Protect their day-sleep: quiet hours, blackout curtains, no non-urgent calls.
•Celebrate holidays on the days you’re together — the date matters less than the time.
•Plan one predictable ritual each week (a meal, a walk) that survives the rotation.

•They may be quiet, irritable, jumpy or unable to sleep for a few days. This is a normal stress response.
•Offer presence, not pressure: “I’m here if you want to talk, and it’s okay if you don’t.”
•Help with basics — food, water, sleep, fewer obligations for 48 hours.
•Watch for warning signs lasting over 2–4 weeks: heavy drinking, isolation, nightmares, hopelessness. Encourage peer support or a clinician.

•Hearing about calls repeatedly can affect you too. Your stress is real and valid.
•Keep your own friendships and routines; you can’t pour from an empty cup.
•Many agency EAPs cover spouses and children — ask your member about access.
•Join a first-responder family group: shared experience reduces isolation.

•Use age-appropriate honesty: “Mom’s job helps people. Sometimes she sees sad things and needs quiet time.”
•Keep routines steady when a parent is on long shifts or deployed.
•Reassure them about safety without making promises you can’t control.
•Let kids help with homecoming rituals — a drawing, a favourite meal.

•Talking about being a burden, feeling trapped, or wanting to die.
•Giving away possessions, saying goodbye, sudden calm after a dark period.
•Increased drinking, reckless behaviour, withdrawing from everyone.
•Ask directly: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” Asking does not plant the idea. Then call or text 988 together.

•Keep hydration and electrolytes visible; stock fiber-rich, whole-food snacks for long shifts.
•Cook protein-forward meals that reheat easily for odd hours.
•Encourage alcohol-free nights after hard shifts — offer alternatives you both enjoy.
•Join a walk or workout together; it doubles as decompression time.

Safe Call Now

Confidential 24/7 line for public safety employees and their families · 1-206-459-3020

Military OneSource

Free counselling for service members and families · 1-800-342-9647

Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)

Support for families of fallen officers

National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Family programs and Local Assistance State Team (LAST) support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Everyone — 24/7, free, confidential

Veterans Crisis Line

Veterans, service members, Guard & Reserve — Dial 988 then press 1

Safe Call Now

First responders & their families — 24/7

Copline

Law enforcement officers & families — peer-staffed by retired officers

Fire/EMS Helpline (Share the Load)

Firefighters, EMS & families — Or text BIG to 741741