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By Chief Sam DiGiovanna
First responders, when they become first responders, are some of the most physically and mentally fit people in our society. They are strong, resilient, and willing to put their lives on the line for the safety of their communities. But when it comes to getting help themselves, it often seems like there’s nowhere to turn. With a shortage of clinicians in general, and an acute shortage of culturally competent clinicians for public safety professionals, peer support can be an effective way to provide critical assistance to our responders.
It is no secret firefighters; police officers and first responders are dying by suicide more than Line of Duty Death (LODD). First Responders have the most stressful and high-risk job in the United States. Traumatic events such as active shooters, civil unrest, physical assault, wildfires, pandemics, political issues, domestic violence calls to name a few are dramatically on the rise.
Emotional trauma has increased and continues in public safety. We need to do a better job within our organizations to provide quality, comprehensive and confidential mental health and wellness programs that are accessible to employees 24/7.
“ACE’s” is Adverse Childhood Experiences that start in our formative years. Combine these childhood experiences with the above-mentioned trauma first responders are exposed to increases; heart disease more than twice the amount of the general public, alcoholism by seven times and twelve times more attempted suicides with first responders.
It is everyone’s responsibility to have and bring awareness of this growing trend. When we start our profession, we are like a clean slate. After serving five, ten, fifteen years on the job, and with constant exposure to traumatic events, our slate is no longer empty, but a slate full of mental issues of trauma and PTSD that need addressing.
Many agencies have Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that offer resiliency of confidential psychological screening for trauma and stress. The question is, does it provide a safe place with confidentiality to be free to express their emotions? Or does your agency provide an EAP of “Expose and Punish?”
It is important agencies have a mental health & wellness program that is of quality. All which can make the difference between life and death. Some identifiers of stress may include shutting down or with drawl, lack of sleep, avoidance, flashbacks/nightmares, or feeling hypervigilant or overly watched or paranoid. In 2015 a study showed 50% of firefighters have considered suicide at one time or another. Seventy-five percent have unresolved emotional issues due to job stress. Sadly, this has been on the rise since then.
Why don’t first responders ask for help? They do not want to appear weak. There is fear of judgement, and fear of retaliation. Many feel they are the only one needing help. This is not true – most do!
We respond to incidents every day. Adverse mental health and wellness in the minds of first responders are becoming an incident internally and growing every day. Like fires and medical incidents, we need to have resources and qualified personnel in place to help deal with mental issues. Lexipol – Cordico has a wellness app that is a great resource for finding help.
This is a good time to look at your agency’s wellness program and re-evaluate its effectiveness. Just because you have one, does not mean it is the right one. Your Peer Support members and wellness committee members should meet and make sure it is of quality, confidential and accessible. Your current program can do more harm than good if it is not of quality and one that personnel can trust and go to.
The mind has an amazing ability to forget painful memories while also unconsciously holding on to them.
Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com