Can Therapy help First Responders?

For first responders— firefighters, police officers, military personnel, emergency dispatchers, EMTs and others—work can mean close encounters with danger, chaos and tragedy, on a daily basis. If you are a first responder affected by trauma, it can seem difficult to verbalize it. But trying to ignore what you’re going through only makes the problem worse. Specialized, confidential treatment for first responders does exist.

Over time, exposure to such stress can take a toll on first responders’ mental and physical health. In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results, with symptoms such as:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, and recurring thoughts

• Emotional numbness

• Extreme worry, guilt, anger, or hopelessness

• Avoidance of people, places, or things that are reminders of the trauma

• A loss of interest in things that once gave pleasure

• Feeling anxious, on edge, or jumpy, and startling easily

• Sleep issues

• Problems with alcohol, drugs, or food

Resistance to Treatment

There are numerous reasons a First Responder may resist seeking mental health treatment. Reasons such as:

• Stigma

• Fear of lack of confidentiality

• Fear of retaliation from the department

• Fear of losing job/position

• Vulnerability

• Loss of Control

• Prejudice and Discrimination

Although resistance is very normal, it can lead to worse problems if ignored. The tide is slowly turning, and more light is being focused on the importance of mental health care within first responder culture.

Seeking the “Right” Treatment

Specialized, confidential treatment for first responders does exist, and this is what it can help you understand:

• Seeking help not only helps the first responder, it helps family and loved ones.

• You’re treatment is confidential.

• Trauma is a normal human response to an abnormal situation.

• You do not have to give up the job to seek help.

• You are not alone. Many other first responders have used therapy to help them through numerous situations.

• Therapy can help build your emotional protective armor.