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First responders, men and women comprised of law
enforcement, firefighters and paramedics, have chosen career
fields that yield a great amount of risk to their own lives
in order to help and save others.
While they dedicate
themselves to serve and protect, underneath the uniforms are
human beings with feelings, emotions, physical needs, as
well as mental and emotional undercurrents as all others of
humanity. I am sure they are often questioned why they
chose the career field in which they serve due to the risks
involved.
Bottom line, we all make
our own choices with what to do with our lives and the
purposes in which we wish to live out our lives that give us
a sense of dignity, happiness and of course source of income
and benefits whether just to support ourselves or in
addition a family as well.
None of us can answer the
question of the choices of others, especially when it comes
to choosing a career. I am often asked, how and why I chose
the profession of counseling especially when it comes to
helping others to grieve various losses in their lives. I
can answer my own question, but I know for sure, I knew I
did not have what it takes to run into a burning building or
face off with suspect armed and dangerous.
My own personal
experiences and exploratory sense growing into an adult
helped shape the career I chose. It was both personal and
practical in my own sense. I served in the military on
active duty for seven years, mostly overseas with a specific
job that did not involve much risk. I chose that beginning
career first as a means of just finding myself.
At 19 years of age, I was
lost, not sure of who I was or who I wanted to become and
certainly not financially stable to attend college. I did
not have a support system of family to encourage me one way
or the other, so I took a leap of faith and joined the
military. The military was a place that taught me
discipline, skills, and I collected a paycheck.
As years progressed, I
learned to appreciate my country and those who came before
us to give us the freedoms in which we now enjoy. I have
never regretted my decision. Some of you reading this
article may share in my story of why, some of you may not,
but the point is that we all start somewhere and somehow.
Recently in the news, a
local Toledo police officer took his own life, which to
communities of people seem uncommon and even unreal
resulting back to the question of why? Suicides of first
responders are higher in their career field not just here in
the Midwest but worldwide and in my opinion due to
commonalities such as significant on-the-job stressors,
exposure to trauma and critical experiences such as fires,
natural disasters, death and scenes of horrific images not
useful to our imagination or sense of natural being.
Those experiences
eventually take a toll on a person and can begin to tear
away at one’s natural existence.
First responders live
lives at a higher risk of developing not just physical
ailments but also mental and emotional imbalances that, if
not identified, can cause harm to those who have sworn to
serve and protect. If they are not well, how can they help
others to the best of their ability? Who responds to their
well-being, their needs and safety?
When people ask me why I
chose my career field I usually answer with a well thought
out genuine and honest truth, and then there are other
times, I will say “well somebody has to do it!” Fortunately
I enjoy my career and I am most faithful that it is my true
calling. I am sure those who have chose career fields as
first responders feel the same.
When in a career field of
helping others, it is of the utmost importance that we
ensure that we help ourselves first to ensure we are fit for
the duties involved. I believe all of us as a community can
share our condolences with the families, friends and
partners of those who lost their lives in the line of duty
whether self- incurred or natural.
I also believe that there
is still a large gap of needed access and understanding of
care for those putting their lives on the line for others
and incurring the stressors that come with the job.
Take a mental health
moment and ask yourself, especially our first responders,
what is the status of your well-being and self-care? As a
society, we need you (first responders) in our times of
crisis and 911 calls for help. We, as a society need you to
be your best, physically, mentally and emotionally.
The stigma of seeking
mental health affects us all worldwide. If you can take the
risk of running into a burning building or aiming your
weapon in a possible deadly shootout, civilians can only
hope you can take the small risk of taking care of your
needs as first responders. Thank you to all the brave men
and women who protect and serve all over the world.
In the Toledo area there
are many avenues of care. If you need the help to start, I
am happy to answer your calls, your questions or schedule an
appointment to begin the process of well-being. Mental
health is just as important as physical health. Take honor
in taking care of yourself as much as you take honor in
taking care of those in need.
Bernadette Graham is
a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified
Counselor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. She is
in private practice and sees individuals and families and
also provides presentations and speaking engagements on
topics of mental health. She specializes in grief and loss
recovery and substance use disorders. Contact at:
www.bjgrahamcounseling.com graham.bernadette@gmail.com
419.409.4929 |
