Derek Baranowski has been a firefighter with the Burlington Fire Department for the past 25 years. For the past six years, he has been a Certified Facilitator for The Working Mind. His sessions focus on building mental health literacy and resilience through open, honest dialogue.
Building Trust Through Simplicity
Derekās approach is straightforward. He creates a safe environment where participants feel supported.
āWhen you feel vulnerable, itās not a sign of weakness,ā Derek explains.
He encourages participants to rethink mental health care.
- Do you visit your doctor annually?
- Do you see a dentist regularly?
- Why not take care of your mental health the same way?
These questions push people to reconsider long-held assumptions.
Understanding Your Baseline
Derek highlights the importance of the Mental Health Continuum Tool. He stresses the value of recognizing your personal baseline.
āKnowing what your āgreen zoneā feels like is key,ā Derek says.
This self-awareness helps people notice changesāboth positive and negativeāand act accordingly.
Simple Actions, Meaningful Support
Participants often feel hesitant to offer support, worried they might say the wrong thing. Derek simplifies the process.
āAll you need to do is observe, provide initial support, and help connect them to resources,ā he advises. āYou donāt have to fix the problem.ā
Derek introduces the concept of a āwarm transfer.ā
- Help someone find the right resource.
- Assist them in taking the next step, like making a call or setting a follow-up plan.
These small actions make a big difference.
Impact Beyond the Classroom
For Derek, the most fulfilling moments come when participants change their mindset.
āItās rewarding to see people rethink their own biases and actions,ā he reflects.
His sessions focus on more than education. They aim to transform how people think about and address mental health.
āMental health isnāt about going it alone,ā Derek reminds participants. āItās about knowing when to reach out and how to support others when they do.ā