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Anxiety and PTSD

Police officers, firefighters, and other first responders never know what a day on the job is going to look like. You often deal with dangerous and life-threatening situations, and the trauma and anxiety can accumulate and lead to PTSD.

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A recent study found that in 2017, more firefighters and police officers died by suicide than in the line of duty. The same study found that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be almost five times as high among firefighters and police officers than the general public.

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It’s important to note, too, that there are parts of your job that enrich your satisfaction with life. These include:

  • Positive relationships with fellow officers or emergency workers

  • Meaningful and important work

  • Productive and/or positive atmosphere in the workplace

  • Livable wages and benefits

  • Strong and supportive chief
     

EAPFirst helps you find your balance when the negative begins to outweigh the positive in your mind.

Taking a Look at the Facts

Symptoms of PTSD may include:  
 

  • insomnia and nightmares 

  • uncharacteristic temper 

  • irritability 

  • difficulty concentrating 

  • difficulty managing emotions 

  • flashbacks 

  • depression 

  • suicidal thoughts 

  • substance abuse and addiction 

Symptoms of anxiety can include:  
 

  • hypervigilance

  • irritability or restlessness

  • lack of concentration, racing thoughts, or unwanted thoughts

  • unexplained fatigue

  • excessive sweating

  • Also common: excessive worry, fear, feeling of impending doom, insomnia, nausea, heart palpitations, or trembling

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EAPFirst can help you. You can start to feel better.

​We're just a call away.  •  1-855-EAP-1NOW

Eliminating the Stigma

Thankfully, the stigma around mental wellness is slowly changing in the first responder community. But it can still be a barrier for some and prevents you from reaching out.

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We must continue to change the perception of mental healthcare. We believe it is the responsibility of our community and of first responders to:

  • Educating ourselves and others about mental health: Look for trusted information beyond what you may have received in professional training.

  • Be conscious of our word choice: Use appropriate and sensitive language to avoid stigmatizing those with mental illness. Commonly used phrase such as, “He’s an EDP” or, “She’s 10-96” encourage the idea of mentally ill persons as different or “less than.”

  • Show empathy and compassion for those living with a mental health condition: Empathy is one of your most powerful tools as an emergency responder.

  • See the person and not just the illness: Remember that human beings are complicated, each bigger than any one aspect of their personality.

  • Speak matter-of-factly about mental wellbeing: Whether among fellow officers or face-to-face with someone you know or a suspect has a mental illness, straight talk is the best way to gently ask questions and see how they’re doing. Openness and honesty, expressed without judgment, truly does facilitate connection.  

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