What First Responders Must Know About PTSD
What First Responders Must Know About PTSD
Whether you’re a volunteer first responder or a full-time veteran, psychological impacts are a reality. Police, fire, and EMS professionals must figure out early on in their careers how to deal with the daily ups and downs of the job. Over time, it can wear away one’s psyche. This blog post is intended to educate those about PTSD and provide information on how to handle it.
An article from PoliceOne confirms that anywhere between 10 to 30 percent of first responders will be forced to deal with some sort of traumatic stress injury during their career. That could be the death of a co-worker, child, or even someone attempting to take your life. It’s a part of the job that first responders bear far too often on their own.
The Senate recently designed June as PTSD Awareness Month, with June 27 being PTSD Awareness Day. The day was created with military veterans in mind, however, PTSD is as much a reality for first responders as it is to military members. PTSD isn’t a happy topic by any means, but it doesn’t have to be career-ending. With the proper awareness, preparation, and action taken, PTSD can be effectively handled.
Here are five things to know about PTSD:
- It’s normal - Our mind is conditioned to maintain itself, whatever that entails. In some cases where the brain tries to protect itself, there can be unfortunate byproducts. Traumatic incidents in particular may lead to anger, memory issues, sleep disruption, or other stress responses.
- Catch it early - As with many health issues, early intervention of PTSD allows for a better possible outcome.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms - With PTSD becoming more and more common, the resources are out there for helping to identify symptoms. Knowledge is powerful, but especially with PTSD.
- Intervene when necessary - It’s easy for someone with PTSD to feel scared and alone when dealing with its effects. They may not be able to consider PTSD as the reason for their recent troubles. The fact is that someone experiencing the effects of PTSD needs someone to be there for them, even if they don’t ask for help.
- There’s not just one answer - Post traumatic stress doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for your friend may not work for you. Humans process and manage stress in different ways, and while some may benefit from a certain type of therapy, others may require a totally different strategy.
Take a moment to recall the worst injury you’ve ever suffered. Perhaps it was a broken leg, concussion, or burns from taming a fire. Traumatic stress injuries can be just as dangerous as any of those and maybe more. Nobody has all the answers to PTSD, but it’s imperative to understand the importance of mental health for first responders. Does your department not have a mental health plan for staff? It’s a good idea to be proactive about getting the administration on the right track.
How My Responder Gear Can Help
We believe that active-duty professionals are some of the unsung heroes of society. That’s why we do our best to ensure that first responders have elite supplies to get the job done. Our first responder gear is made using durable, leading edge fabrics and technology to ensure that your first responder supplies remain sanitary.
Our team doesn’t simply crank out products. We carefully craft first responder equipment that will provide a lasting solution for Police, EMS, Fire, and Sports Medicine professionals. Plus, we continually improve our designs based on customer feedback and innovate so that we meet the ever-changing needs of first responders.
If you or someone you know is dealing with PTSD, get help now.