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Where can First Responders look for help?

First Responders and Traumatic Events: Normal Distress and Stress Disorders

First Responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events in the course of their duties. As such, they are at increased risk for long-term problems from traumatic stress. These are some of the questions you may have about trauma, normal stress responses, and chronic stress disorders. We here at FIRST RESPONDERS OF MISSISSIPPI (FROM) hope to help our first responder HEROES and their families answer this questions.

What qualifies as a “traumatic event?”
What is the normal response to a traumatic event?
What signs are indicators of a stress disorder?
What are the personal risk factors?
What kinds of situations may increase a First Responder’s risk for developing a stress disorder? What kinds of support and intervention are helpful?
When should a First Responder seek professional help?
Where can First Responders look for help?

The normal response of normal people to traumatic (abnormal) events is psychological and physical distress. Humans have both inborn and learned responses to threatening events, based in our drive to survive. We use established coping skills and support from family and friends to manage such experiences. Often healing proceeds normally and there are no long-term consequences to the event. At other times, the individual may experience temporary or chronic effects from the traumatic incident.