What first responders carry home after the call ends

Luanne Brookover, MC, LPC, CCTP

Submitted photo/Denova Collaborative Health

Mental health concerns don’t always show up as an obvious crisis. They may appear gradually through irritability, difficulty sleeping, changes in mood, trouble concentrating, strained relationships or difficulty mentally stepping away from work. Telling first responders to simply 'reach out' isn’t enough.”

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OPINION — For first responders, what most of us would consider an extraordinary crisis can simply be part of a Tuesday.

Law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, correctional officers and paramedics routinely face circumstances many people may experience only once, if ever, in their lifetime. They respond to medical emergencies, enter burning structures, manage dangerous encounters and make split-second decisions when another person’s life may be at risk.

That work requires constant physical and mental readiness. But repeatedly facing crisis, trauma, injury and death can also take a serious toll.

On National First Responders Day, Oct. 28, we recognize the people who move toward emergencies when others are moving away. That recognition should also include an honest conversation about what repeated exposure to crisis can do to mental health and how we can better support those who serve our communities.

The strain of first response doesn’t end when an emergency is over. There is heightened awareness, the wait for the next call and the expectation to respond immediately when it comes. A “bad day” may involve the death of a coworker, the loss of a community member or an event that stays with someone long after the shift has ended.

Over time, those experiences can contribute to post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, sleep problems, relationship difficulties and other challenges. Yet for many first responders, recognizing that something has changed may be easier than asking for help.

Changing what strength looks like

First responder culture often places a high value on strength, composure, competence and self-reliance. Those qualities are essential in an emergency. But they can also become a barrier when someone begins to believe that acknowledging emotional struggles means they’re no longer capable of doing their job.

Mental health concerns don’t always show up as an obvious crisis. They may appear gradually through irritability, difficulty sleeping, changes in mood, trouble concentrating, strained relationships or difficulty mentally stepping away from work.

Telling first responders to simply “reach out” isn’t enough.

Departments and organizations have an important role in creating environments where asking for support is treated as responsible rather than risky. First responders need to know that care will be confidential, that providers understand the realities of their work and that seeking help won’t be viewed as a sign that they can’t do their jobs.

We should also be mindful about defining resilience as the ability to endure repeated trauma without being affected by it. Strength can mean recognizing when something has changed, using healthy ways to cope and seeking support when it’s needed.

Mental healthcare is part of readiness

Experiencing trauma on the job doesn’t mean someone will inevitably develop lasting mental health concerns. Early recognition, prevention and appropriate care can make a meaningful difference.

That’s why mental health support shouldn’t be reserved only for someone already in crisis.

For first responders, therapy can provide a confidential place to process experiences they may have had to push aside in the moment. Care can be especially helpful when a provider understands first responder culture, repeated exposure to trauma and the reasons someone may hesitate to seek help in the first place.

Mental health support also extends beyond formal treatment. Supportive relationships, healthy coping strategies, mindfulness and other wellness practices can help people manage stress and recognize changes in their well-being. These practices aren’t substitutes for professional care when it’s needed, but they can be part of staying mentally healthy over time.

Organizations can support that effort through education, strong peer support, confidential access to care and leaders who show that taking mental health seriously is compatible with doing the job well.

Just as departments invest in physical safety, training and equipment, mental health deserves attention before someone reaches a breaking point.

The responsibility cannot fall on responders alone

First responders already carry an enormous responsibility to the communities they serve. They shouldn’t also carry the full burden of managing the mental health effects of that work alone.

Families, peers, supervisors, department leaders and healthcare providers all have a role in creating a stronger support system. Organizations, in particular, should make sure seeking care doesn’t leave someone worried about how they’ll be viewed by their peers or leaders.

On National First Responders Day, gratitude matters. But support must go further than thanking first responders for what they’re willing to endure.

The same culture that teaches first responders to depend on one another when lives are at risk can also make room for recognizing when one of their own is struggling. Mental healthcare doesn’t lessen the courage required to answer the call. It can help sustain the people who continue to answer it.

Luanne Brookover, MC, LPC, CCTP, is a licensed professional counselor practicing in Mesa and Tempe. She has worked in behavioral health since 1994. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to azopinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.