At Gear Wash, the main priority is keeping the department safe and healthy by keeping gear clean and ready for the next firefight. Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, they want to emphasize that supporting those who serve them is valuable and needed.
The first way to break down the stigma of Post Traumatic Stress in the fire service is to understand what it looks like. Studies estimate that about 20 percent of firefighters will experience symptoms at some point during their careers.
Few common signs
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, here are a few common signs that station crews and families should watch for:
- Reliving the event. Memories of the traumatic event can come back at any time. They may feel the same fear and horror they did when the event took place. For example, they may have nightmares. Or they may feel like they are going through the event again; this is called a flashback. They may see, hear, or smell something that causes them to relive the event, called a trigger. News reports, seeing an accident, or hearing a car backfire are examples of triggers.
- Avoid situations that remind them of the event. They may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. They may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
- Negative changes in beliefs and feelings. The way they think about themselves and others changes because of the trauma. This symptom has many aspects, including the fact that they may not have positive or loving feelings toward other people and may stay away from relationships. They may think the world is completely dangerous, and no one can be trusted.
- Seeking help in times of need is the furthest thing from weakness. In a 2019 survey of patients from the IAFF Center of Excellence, 62% reported they felt the decision to seek treatment had a positive impact on how they are viewed in their departments. Encourage anyone in the department to reach out if they are struggling, no one should have to suffer alone.
