First Responders and All That Comes With It

I've been around first responders for a long time. Not just treating them — I've been on scene with police and fire, embedded in a department. So when I tell you I've seen the stress, the weight, the stuff you carry home whether you want to or not — I'm not quoting a textbook. I've been there.

The Reality of Being a First Responder

Being a first responder — whether you're a police officer, paramedic, firefighter, EMS, dispatcher, corrections officer, or in another role — is extremely stressful. Many of you try to keep up the appearance of being fine. Not bothered by what you see day in and day out. But when something strikes you differently, or you feel safe enough to let a wall down, you tell the truth: it's a lot.

According to SAMHSA, over 30 percent of first responders develop mental health conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) — and that's only the ones who have reported experiencing symptoms. The real number is higher. A lot higher.

PTS is a response to experiencing shock from a horrific event or tragedy, accompanied by an emotional or physical reaction. There's no set timeline for how long it lasts. It could be weeks, months, or even years. If it goes untreated, it lasts longer than anyone would want. Onset of symptoms can be immediate — or they might not develop until long after the trauma.

Symptoms can range from:

• Intrusive thoughts or images

• Vivid flashbacks or nightmares

• Trouble sleeping

• Overwhelming guilt or shame

• Self-destructive behavior

The list goes on — but it doesn't have to, if you seek help.

It Is Not "If" But "When"

Here's the truth about working in public safety: it's not a matter of if you come across a critical or traumatic event. It's a matter of when. And when you respond to that incident, it places you at the forefront of experiencing PTSI, depression, negative coping skills, self-destructive behaviors, and possibly suicidal ideation.

Someone who is impacted by traumatic events in their career will likely endure some level of trauma during their time in service. While we can't prevent trauma from occurring, we can work together to prevent the impact from becoming PTS.

Preventative and Proactive Tactics

Here are some things that can help ease the trauma before it takes hold:

• Disclose the trauma to a colleague or someone you trust. You don't have to carry it alone.

• Surround yourself with family and friends. Connection matters.

• Discuss other ways that help others through their healing process. Learn from each other.

• Find what positive coping skills work for you and implement them in your routine.

• Affirm yourself: what you experienced is not you. "I will get better."

• Find a therapist who has experience working with first responders — someone who can handle what may be hard for others to hear.

You Show Up for Everyone Else — What About You?

You allow yourself to be in unpredictable and uncomfortable situations all the time for work because "you have to" or "it's my job, I signed up for it." But what about allowing yourself to tread in the uncharted territory of the symptoms you may be experiencing? What about normalizing that it's okay to get help?

First responders are a different breed of humans. You witness and experience things others can't imagine. But your peers know what you're going through. In my experience working with first responders and being part of a department, I know there's a community of peers who support you and want you to be okay. Some may not express it well on the outside — they might cut up with gallows humor, yuck it up between calls, or stay quiet when they can catch a lunch break — but it's a community of people who care.

Dedicate some time for yourself to express what you're carrying in a way you might not feel comfortable doing around supervisors or coworkers because you don't want to appear "weak." So try it out. Find a therapist and see if it's something that works for you. Many first responders I've worked with find it helpful in the long run to have someone in their corner as they navigate their career and the traumatic events that come with it.

Dark humor is welcome here. Swearing is welcome here. Skepticism is welcome here — ask me anything, push back, bring it on. Just also be okay with laughing, because therapy should be fun. Yes, fun. Even when it's heavy.

I'm Lexi Eller, LCSW-S — trauma therapist and owner of Ember & Lighthouse Wellness in Waxahachie, TX, seeing clients in person and virtually throughout Texas. I specialize in trauma therapy for first responders, veterans, and trauma survivors, and I use approaches like EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), DBT, IFS, and a person-centered approach. If you're interested in learning more about trauma therapy and how a trained therapist can equip you with skills to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and more, we're here to help. Whether it's online therapy throughout Texas, in-person therapy at our Waxahachie, TX office at Ember & Lighthouse Wellness has options to meet your needs.

You show up for everyone else. Let someone show up for you.

— Lexi Eller, LCSW-S
Ember & Lighthouse Wellness | Waxahachie, TX
Trauma Therapy • First Responders • Veterans • EMDR • ART • Texas