First Responders: Trauma, Stigma and Mental Health

A recent Facebook Live focused on stress, trauma, and mental health among first responders.
Panelists included:

• Steve Biegner, fire chaplain, Erie County Emergency Services
• Sarah Bonk, special assistant to Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Services Erie County Emergency Services
• Lt. Jeffrey Schmidt, Cheektowaga Police Department
• And Daniel Neaverth, commissioner, Erie County Emergency Services 

Matt Smith, executive director of Preventionfocus, was the moderator. They discussed challenges faced by firefighters, police officers, EMTs and dispatchers and the stigma about seeking help for mental health issues.

According to Commissioner Neaverth, first responders experience various stages of stress and trauma. New first responders may need support after responding to their first catastrophic event. Then individuals with 10,15, or 20 years of experience can be impacted by events that cause mental health challenges.

“As we advance in our careers, we take more training, we become more qualified,” he said.  “As incidents happen around our world and in our own backyard, even if we’re not directly involved in the incident, we can be emotionally involved.”

According to Chaplain Beigner, many first responders may react to the stress and trauma of a recent call that reminds them of an event from many years ago.

He describes a “backpack” of calls. “When you go out on a call, you throw it in the backpack and go on the next call, perhaps five or seven times a day. So, you might end up carrying around a lot of stress for years.”

Lt. Schmidt talked about his own struggle with mental health.

“Very early on, I struggled with doing my job but was smart enough to reach out to my supervisor who took care of me,” he said.  “I worked with a group called Catch a Falling Star—they get you in, get you talking and get you the help you need,” he said.

Bonk said that while stigma continues to be an issue among first responders, there has been a steady step toward advancement making it more culturally acceptable to talk about mental health and share stories.

Schmidt also said more resources are available to law enforcement. Many peer helplines are staffed by former or current first responders.

While things have improved greatly in the last ten years and there is less stigma, a challenge remains when individuals need level two help, Lt. Schmidt said. “When you’re not able to work, it impacts your identity. But seeking help doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you stronger.”

Common resources for first responders may include mental health counselors on site, stress debriefings and continued follow up from colleagues and chaplains.