First responders have been trained to put their lives on the line. You put the lives of others before yours.

You step forward when most step back.

In the line of duty you are faced with tragedy, trauma and even death. Being a first responder has always been a tough job.  Now more than ever the job that has always been tough has become even harder. 

Familiar struggles for First Responders:

·      PTSD

·      Crime scene trauma

·      Work stress

·      Vicarious trauma

·      Burn out

·      Anxiety

·      Overwhelming stress

·      Depression

·      Isolation

·      Anger

·      Exaggerated startle response

Part of your training is to be trained to endure and face hardships.  Seeking treatment is not a sign of weakness, it is a symbol of strength.  You were never made to carry alone the traumas that you have endured. Seeking counseling creates a greater resiliency in being able to continue to face the challenges in your job.

When to seek counseling?

• When you cannot get past events and images out of your head.

• You feel haunted by some of the things you have seen in the line of duty.

• You’ve been told you just need to forget about it.

• You have trouble sleeping

• You are using alcohol to quiet your mind and numb the images

• You have been told by friends and family that you are not yourself anymore

We want to invite you into sharing the burden with a trusted counselor. The repetitive nature of some of the horrific circumstances you have endured creates a cumulative effect in your body system.  It is not carrying the harm from one event but from multiple events that are similar. When humans witness, experience, observe or even hear the details of traumatic events the brain changes its neural networks.  It is outside of human capacity to be able to carry trauma alone. Carrying the trauma alone deteriorates mental health and impacts daily life in a negative way.

You have had to carry being the bearer of bad news that will alter a family’s life forever, you also have witnessed horrific accidents and traumas, you have said goodbye to your family and friends before work without the guarantee you will be coming home the same. These few snapshots are just a part of your daily/weekly rhythms of your work.  You have carried many families and persons through suffering with care and compassion.  Let us care for you with compassion and help alleviate some of what you carry.

Part of your job is to help others with their problems but not have any of your own problems show up on the job. In order to step well into your job, it is imperative to take care of your self first.  When you are not taken care of and you are striving to put on a face of bravery and strength, it only works for so long. We understand the calling and identity of your job.  We understand the culture of being able to handle it and the culture of strength.  Seeking counseling may just save your life.