First responders enter into life-and-death situations on a daily basis. Between rushing into burning buildings, arriving at traffic collisions, and speaking with those in crisis, the proximity to risk is constant. For many first responders, this is commonplace. Some cope well with their fast-paced and often dangerous work environment. However, when social situations trigger the…
Read More
Studying for school or training for a profession can mark an exhausting chapter of little to no rest. Committing to a program of education can be highly demanding — and with an increase in responsibilities comes intensified feelings of stress. First responders experience this in the form of training, while military personnel may be making…
Read More
As a first responder, every day on the job can be fraught with stressors. Over time, repeated exposure to potentially traumatic situations can have a lasting impact on your mental health and well-being. While it is your job to be on the frontline helping others, it is just as important to help yourself. Developing healthy…
Read More
What are some common signs that you or a loved one may be experiencing stress? How do you know when these levels of stress are becoming harmful? In honor of International Stress Week—November 2nd through the 6th—taking time to identify hidden stress in yourself and others can lead to better mental health and well-being all…
Read More
Emergencies do not stop for the holidays, and neither do first responders. As a public safety professional, working through the holidays while trying to maintain your family life, personal health, and social life may feel like juggling more than you can handle. As a result, you may find yourself attending more to one over the…
Read More
Making the most of your days off as a first responder in recovery from addiction is an important skill to master. It can provide you with valuable time you can use for self-care. Your job likely demands you to tirelessly give of yourself in the form of service and protection. Along with other job stressors,…
Read More
Winter weather almost always brings about dangerous conditions. Most of us may have the choice to avoid hazardous highways and stay inside during bad weather. The same is not always true for first responders who are often attending to emergencies on the most treacherous roads or fighting fires caused by home heating elements as the…
Read More
Feeling lucky to be alive is an emotion many of us might not associate with guilt. Some may not even realize they are wrestling with it, or they struggle to recognize that the weight they are carrying alongside grief is a sense of guilt. This feeling can manifest itself after someone experiences a loss or…
Read More
When we are entirely focused on an important task at hand, in order to get it done effectively and efficiently, there is often little room for addressing our emotions. At the scene of an accident, first responders are expected to push aside their feelings immediately and provide both physical and emotional support to those in…
Read More
For many, the stresses of daily life lead us to act in ways we might otherwise decide were reckless or irrational. These stressors in our lives might then be redirected towards loved ones, work relationships, and others who have no way of sharing in the unique stress we have freshly experienced. First responders experience amplified…
Read More