Strategic Partner Content
Image: Dallas police officers handle flowers they received at a roadblock outside their headquarters July 9, 2016, two days after five Dallas officers were killed by a gunman. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Steve has served as a police officer for 24 years, including being a SWAT team member for years. He and I have worked together on his traumatic experiences. He has told me that in a given day a police officer might have to deal with two to three overdoses and do CPR.
He told me in one session: “What you see is someone lying on the ground, with things coming out of their mouth. Imagine trying to help them while their family is screaming and begging you to do it ‘quicker, quicker.’ Sometimes you cannot bring them back, and you witness families mourning someone they love. On the same day you come across a traffic stop where teenagers are actively shooting heroin into their arms, and you have to deal with an overdose situation again.” He continues, “The most traumatic are the ones you cannot save people.” Read Article
1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues that are consistently facing our first responders and their families, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health. Learn More
Being a hard worker and a great parent and partner is a tough (but obviously rewarding) job. It takes most of a person’s time in the best of circumstances, however, as a first responder, you’re often asked to go above-and-beyond at work and may find that it’s hard to have much left to give when it comes to forming great family relationships at home. That being said, the benefits you draw from caring for your family and receiving their love and support in return are very valuable. A strong home life is protective when difficult events happen at work, reminding you that there are many elements of our world that are worth defending with the service that you perform.
To create space in your life for both the work you care about and the family members who matter to you, keep these key thoughts in mind. Read More
“LIVE” on ZOOM
Wednesday, August 11, 8PM ET
Fire Chief Patrick Kenny’s world was rocked when he lost his own son to suicide. This was devastating as a leader. Join PTSD911 for a candid conversation about mental health, wellness, and leadership in the first responder community.
They’ll also talk about:
- How you as a leader can address the stigma attached to mental illness in the workplace, at home, or with friends, utilizing professional resources and relying on your faith.
- How you can develop the leadership communication skills necessary to help you both personally and professionally when faced with any health crisis.
Peer support is an important first step for the mental health of those in crisis. Early intervention with peer support provides first responders and their families the opportunity to get help fast with critical incidents and life in general. There are two critical components for all involved with peer support: trust and confidentiality.
Resilience is the quality of being able to return strong after a negative experience. Some people naturally bounce back from difficulty or trauma, but there are also plenty of ways to improve resilience in your team by creating a supportive, safe work culture that encourages growth and taking time to reflect.
Mastering the Power Nap: Daytime Sleep Tips for First Responders
Many first responders suffer from sleep-related issues due in part to odd shifts and long hours without adequate rest between shifts. Taking naps can really help some people feel better rested later in the day, helping them get through their shift or catch up on sleep after a long couple of days. Read Article
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