Talking to First Responders about THEIR Mental Health Awareness

May is mental health awareness month.  You probably don’t need anyone to tell you there are mental health needs out there—you see it every day in the public. There are hospitals and therapists and doctors to help people.  And it’s also your job to help people, and you do it every day.

But what about your mental health needs?

Yeah, yeah.  You are really, really tough.  You can take care of yourself.  You probably don’t need to talk to anyone or take any kind of medication.  Certainly, your family would say you are dealing with things just fine.  They would say you don’t need two guns on you to go to the zoo with your kids or that you don’t keep an extra pair of rubber gloves in your pocket when you are off duty.  You see dead bodies.  You chase down bad guys with guns and drugs.  You put your life at risk every day.  You are fine.  This is just fine.  You aren’t one of them who is challenged by mental health.

But just in case you might have this tiny thought in the back of your mind that you might need some help or support…

It’s been a tough year.  It’s a pandemic.  And riots.  And national unrest.  And violence.  And shootings.  And the suicide rate is up.  The people of the earth have all had a tough crazy year+.  It would be completely okay for you to say it’s been hard for you, too.  It wouldn’t make you weak.  In fact, it would mean you are brave and strong and even more amazing.

The First Responder Foundation is here to help first responders and their families. Please contact Jason Workman for more information or to schedule an appointment with someone from the First Responders Support Team (FRST) of therapists who specializes in working with first responders. jason@firstrespondersfoundation.org

We see you.  We appreciate you.  We need you.  Please take care of yourself.