What is The Tema Conter Memorial Trust Scholarship Award?

The Tema Conter Memorial Trust Scholarship Awards are presented to the emergency services or military students who best discuss, in an essay or journal, the psychological stressors of Acute, Cumulative and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the effects that these stressors may have on their personal and professional lives.

"We want to ensure that people understand and can cope with the psychological and emotional burden of dealing with trauma and traumatic loss," says Vince Savoia. "We will be proactive in providing emergency services, military personnel, and the general public with information and strategies for coping with acute, cumulative and post traumatic stress disorder so that we can alleviate their anxiety and distress."

Recognizing that early education is very important, each year the scholarships are made available to all emergency services and military students (including EMS, Fire, Police, and Emergency Communications students). One $2,500.00 scholarship is awarded in each province, two in Ontario.  The best overall submission will receive an additional $2,500.00.

Since 2000, we have awarded $187,500 in scholarships.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants for The Tema Conter Memorial Trust Scholarship Award must be enrolled in an emergency services, emergency communications (dispatcher) or military program offered at a post-secondary educational institution. The student must be enrolled on a full-time/part-time basis (as defined by the institution.)

How are the Tema Conter Memorial Trust Scholarship Award winners selected?

All essays will be reviewed by a committee. Finalists may be asked to participate in an interview with the committee.

Essay Deadline is 23:59 hrs on December 31 of each calendar year.

Scholarship recipients will be notified on or before January 20th of each calendar year.

How do I apply?

All essays must be submitted by email to info@tema.ca.  NO EXCEPTIONS

Your CHALLENGE

Your task is to write a formal paper focusing on Acute (otherwise known as Critical Incident Stress), Cumulative, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder adhering to the following criteria.

• Clearly define Acute/Critical Incident Stress, Cumulative Stress, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  List the causes, net effects, and signs and symptoms of each.  Discuss the progression of Acute/Critical Incident Stress to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  
  
  
  

• Discuss the history of CIS/PTSD and its relevance to present day Emergency Services.
  
  
  

• Document and describe various approaches to addressing CIS and PTSD. References to research are imperative.
  
  

• Is there controversy surrounding the treatment of CIS/PTSD?  Please Discuss.
  
  

• Discuss the professional and personal concerns of emergency service personnel when seeking help or having access to appropriate mental health services for CIS/PTSD.
  
  

• Discuss the role of the Tema Conter Memorial Trust as well as other organizations dedicated to the research and education of CIS/PTSD for emergency service personnel.
  
  

• Discuss your personal thoughts on the research of this essay and what key lessons you take away from the process.
  
  

• Discuss possible methods you can use to increase awareness of CIS/PTSD to the field of Emergency Services and to the public.
  
  

• An Interview with an individual who has suffered from Acute/Critical Incident Stress, Cumulative Stress, and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder must be conducted.  How that interview is incorporated into the essay is up to you.  If you do not have access to an individual to interview, please contact the Tema Conter Memorial Trust at info@tema.ca or call us at 1-888-288-8036
  
  
  

• Your program coordinators may be a resource for how to proceed.  Discussions may include the individuals experience with and recovery from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 
  
  
  

• Please use the most recent scientific journal studies, periodic articles, or expert opinion to support your research. A minimum of ten (10) formal references must be cited. Resources must be reliable and properly documented/cited using a formal referencing style. (For example: APA, Harvard, etc.)
  

Your cover page must include:

• Your full name
  

• Home address
  

• Telephone number
  

• Email address
  

• Name of your educational institution
  

• Name of course coordinator
  

The essay:

• Is recommended to be between 2500 and 5000 words
  

• Must be double spaced
  

• Must use a formal reference style
  

• Must have 1” margins
  

Disclosure

• All essays will be scanned for plagiarism using Turnitin software.
  

• All submitted essays become the property of The Tema Conter Memorial Trust.
  

• In the event that you are awarded The Tema Conter Memorial Trust Scholarship Award, The Tema Conter Memorial Trust may publish your name and/or picture in any media format.
  

Scholarships and Scholarship Criteria

Contact us at 1-888-288-8036

Copyright 2010 Tema Conter Memorial Trust | Charity Registration Number 82074 5917 RR0001

Scholarships