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Redefining Purpose: A First Responder’s Path to Healing from Trauma

The need for highly-trained and seasoned first responders is greater today than ever before in history, and the need continues to grow.[1] With these growing needs come increased risks and real-life challenges for the men and women who serve, including, but not limited to, a lack of resources, shortages of personnel, inexperienced leadership, or a lack of resources relevant to mental health.

 

Here’s the reality for first responders: they face repeated exposure to traumatic events uncommon to the majority of private citizens. It is important to note that, although they do face more traumatic events than private citizens, it does not always lead to a diagnosis.

 

One study showed that approximately one out of every three first responders will be diagnosed with “PTSD” or “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.”[2][3] The term “PTSD” or “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder”, or any variation, is often associated with a strong stigma. We should be aware of the symptoms of PTSI, and we should certainly be aware of how to manage those issues, but I believe there must be more emphasis on how to move forward, no matter what the prognosis.

 

Author’s Side Note: I do not consider post-traumatic stress to be a disorder in my personal experiences, but rather an injury, one that can be managed or healed, as detailed in this article.[4] Therefore, I will refer to it as PTSI from here on throughout this article.

 

I believe we are more aware of the issues faced by first responders than at any point in modern history. Wouldn’t you agree that most of us are, at the very least, aware of the mental health challenges and the need to address them? We must not stop at mere awareness. We must demolish the stigma that comes with any diagnosis of PTSI so the pathway to receptiveness is made clearer. To eliminate that stigma, however, we must effect widespread change among the ranks of first responders regarding the “stigma” of those impacted by traumatic experiences. However, it is my experience that those who associate a stigma with PTSI or trauma in general have no clear understanding of the matter. Experiencing a traumatic event or being diagnosed with PTSI does not mean you’re a failure, nor does it mean you’re helpless, and it certainly is not a death sentence.


In fact, it can become a defining moment in your life, a milestone where you choose growth, redefine purpose, and get a clear vision for the path forward.

 

“Our defining moments are found in two ways: one, how we respond when we accomplish all our dreams, and two, when we seem to lose what matters most.”

 -Adam Davis

 

Trauma does not have to define you, but it can fuel purpose through intentional reflection and action. I suppressed deep trauma for nearly two decades before addressing it. My recommendation to any first responder today would be to, with the help of a trusted team, address it head on. Don’t delay treatment, methods, or tools you could implement to begin healing asap. But, in my life experience, healing and redefining purpose after a traumatic event requires something: Choice. It’s your choice in how you proceed. Yes, it will be challenging, and at times, it may be messy, but prolonging the negative impact of PTSI is also. Our defining moments are found in two ways: one, how we respond when we accomplish all our dreams, and two, when we seem to lose what matters most. It’s often difficult to see a clear path beyond the fog of trauma, but I would encourage you to begin implementing some tools to clear the fog and create a vision for your path forward. Here are a few I use regularly:

 

  1. Mindfulness techniques: This includes things like gratitude meditations (thinking or dwelling on all the good you have to be grateful for), box breathing, visualizing your next steps.

  2. Prayer or Meditation: This is a practice of stilling our minds, our hearts, and spirits. I pray according to biblical scripture, and choose to dwell and think on those things as well.

  3. Physical Exercise: Go for a walk, go to the gym, go for a swim, just move your body, even if it is in small increments until you build up more endurance and strength.

  4. Sleep: This should be number one. But ensuring not only adequate sleep, but quality sleep, will be your secret weapon and qualifying advantage over trauma. During quality sleep, your mind is given the opportunity to heal!

 

Redefining your purpose beyond trauma requires a window of stillness of mind, heart, body, and spirit. It requires us to look at the pain and determine how we will use it to move forward. My personal motto has been: I will waste no mistake, no pain, no traumatic experience, I will use this as a means to serve my fellow human, those I serve with, and those who still serve. We can use trauma as a means to move us into a new purpose: to serve with greater love, clarity, and compassion, with a more resilient spirit to lead those around us to healing.

If you or a family member are having any issues with mental health or relationships, please reach out for help. Responder Health (responderhealth.com) is an organization that offers resources specifically for first responders and their families. Responder Health provides confidential and full-service solutions that support first responders through stress and traumatic events, and provides them with the education, resources, and community they need to live healthy, happy lives. Our peer advocate hotline (206)459-3020 offers a confidential 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel, and their family members nationwide.




 
 
 
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