At some point in life, everyone experiences trauma or stressful events. For first responders, however, these challenges are often far greater in both intensity and frequency, sometimes happening daily. They are called to stand alongside members of their community during their most painful and difficult moments. Whether it’s responding to a tragic accident, performing lifesaving measures during a cardiac arrest, or arriving at the scene of an opioid overdose, the weight of these experiences can take a significant toll on their mental and emotional well-being.

When first responders handle difficult calls but feel they have no safe space or opportunity to express the emotions that they are internalizing, the weight of those experiences can become overwhelming. Without an outlet for processing what they’ve endured some may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, which can lead to self-destructive behaviors or even self-harm.

When most people think of first responders, the image that often comes to mind is someone that is tough, resilient, and hardworking- an individual who chose this career knowing they might face high-stress, and sometimes, heartbreaking situations. That strength is certainly a defining quality, but it’s not the full picture. One of the most remarkable traits of first responders is their compassion to serve the community that they surround themselves with. They don’t just arrive on the scene to do a job; they show up in moments when people are experiencing fear, pain, or loss, and they provide not only help but also empathy. This capacity to care deeply is part of what makes them so effective in their role- but it also means that they carry an immense, emotional weight that often can’t be measured, or seen, on the outside of an individual.

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma that suggests first responders don’t need mental health support, as if toughness alone makes someone immune to stress, trauma, or grief. This belief is not only inaccurate but harmful. The reality is that first responders are human, and the challenges they face daily can have a profound impact on their well-being. As a community, we need to actively break down this stigma and advocate for greater access to mental health resources for our first responders. Supporting their mental health doesn’t take away from their strength- it sustains it, ensuring that they can continue serving others while also protecting themselves.

As a family member, friend, or employer of a first responder, it’s important to be mindful of potential warning signs that may signal someone is struggling. These signs can vary from person to person, but may include increased irritability, sudden outbursts of anger towards others, emotional withdrawal from loved ones, reckless behavior, substance misuse or alcohol dependence, and even expressing outward feelings of hopelessness. Recognizing these behaviors early can be a crucial step in offering support and connecting them with the help that they may need.

In times of difficulty, first responders don’t have to face challenges alone. There are peer support programs specifically designed to provide understanding and guidance, such as the R3 Program, COPLINE®, and the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) are some of the many organizations that offer such support. All these organizations are centered around a belief that first responders are not fighting alone. The silent battle that police, firefighters and paramedics believe that they must conquer on their own, is in fact a battle that can be won with the help and support of others that have been in similar situations and understand the day-to-day stressors that come with the calling to serve.

The R3 Program, based out of Fort Worth, Texas, is a “comprehensive wellness and resiliency initiative tailored to proactively address and heal moral injury among first responders.” Some of the key objectives of R3 Program are non-clinical preventative care, peer support networks, educational campaigns and eliminating stigmas through discussions where mental health is normalized and encourages first responders to seek help without fear or judgement. For more information about this specific program and what they have to offer, please visit R3Program.org.

COPLINE ®, based out of New Jersey, has a vision stating, “to remove the stigma associated with an officer’s decision to keep his/her emotions inside for fear of retribution and/or retaliatory action if his/her personal information, feelings OR state of mind is revealed to his/her agency.” COPLINE ® offers a CONFIDENTIAL 24-hour hotline answered by retired law enforcement officers who have gone through a strenuous vetting and training process to become an active listener. COPLINE ® believes that if officers have a confidential place to relieve stress and anxiety, those crucial moments won’t build up and lead to higher, at-risk behavior including suicide. For more information regarding this organization, please visit copline.org

The International Association of Fire Fighters, also known as IAFF, states their mission is “to offer best-in-class treatment for behavioral health issues to IAFF members, serving to improve the quality of their lives, families, and careers.” This program is specifically tailored to fit the needs of firefighters and paramedics. The IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, based in Maryland, offers a facility to better treat those diagnosed with PTSD, addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. They provide evidence-based therapy to those in need. For more information about this resource, please visit IAFFrecoverycenter.com.

Just as the resources that I have mentioned are for the first responders, they are also designed to include and educate family members on how to identify, interact and to assist in getting support for those in need. It is hard at times to notice key warning signs of stressors that are bothering our loved ones, especially for those of us that have never fulfilled a call of duty. For example, let us take a moment to dive into the home life of a law enforcement officer and his family. Although he is a 15-year veteran of the police department in which he serves, he has experienced some of his worst calls over the last several weeks. When he gets home in the evenings, his wife notices that he has become more reclusive. She normally asks, “how was your day?” in which the normal reply is “it was okay” or “do you want to talk about something that is bothering you” to which he has always replied “everything is fine” leaving his wife searching for answers on how she can help her husband open up in dialog and invite her in on sharing his feelings more openly. Unfortunately for both parties, the inability to cope with one’s response is detrimental. The wife would like for her husband to speak more freely about his feelings, but at the same time does not know how to engage with him to make him feel as if she will understand what he is saying and how he is truly feeling. On the counter side of things, the husband feels as if he suppresses his feelings and emotions, that his family is better off than if he would share his thoughts. While both parties are searching for their own answers as to ‘how’ or ‘why’, the wife notices that her husband starts to drink more often than just casually. She even notices that he may drink in excessiveness at times. This causes hurt and anger within the household. The wife notices that the children are asking more often “why is dad always so angry” to which she tries to cover up the pain and discomfort of the family by dismissing the negative and detrimental behavior of her husband. This causes confusion, and hurt, within the life of the family. You see, the opportunity is there for families to identify and intervene with their loved ones, but they just need the resources to help guide them through the process of noticing a negative behavior, understanding the reason for the behavior, and intervening to help them. The resources named above not only assist the first responder in need but can also help families to identify a concern and address it with the appropriate action. (The above forementioned family is fictional and only used to paint a narrative. Any similarities in the situation with real life events are sheerly coincidental and not taken from factual events.)

Leadership within the first responder agencies has changed over the last 25 years, especially after the devastation of the effects of September 11, 2001. This tragic event shook America as first responders turned from what was a search and rescue to a recovery mission. Agencies around the United States started noticing the magnitude of physical and mental health toll that this event took on our own heroes. Agencies started to implement policies in place to better grasp the emotional and physical needs of first responders. Not long after that in 2005, a major resource such as The National Suicide Prevention Hotline was launched with the help of a federal grant. This is now known more commonly as the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This resource along with higher ranked individuals within departments proactively engaging with those that are face-to-face with the public could help someone that they are closely working with in times of despair. Agencies were encouraged, and are implementing policies, to protect the first responders from retaliation and retribution for seeking the help that they need. Through training and resources available to departments, there is opportunity for leaders within each organization to identify and engage with those working directly with the public.

So, what can we do to help ourselves or others within the first responder community? First things first, is to understand that communication is key and can be beneficial. Understanding that there are tools and resources available to all that are within our reach make seeking help that much easier. Furthermore, knowing that you are not alone in your struggle should ease your mind in taking control of your physical and mental health. Again, I would like to reiterate the following resources notated in this article are available for use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This makes it convenient for any time that you may feel as if you need to reach out for guidance.

Jheremy Canales, R.T.  (R)

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