There has been a long-standing stigma regarding mental health treatment, especially for first responders. First responders are the ones we call in crisis- Law enforcement officers, EMS, firefighters, and dispatch workers. Research indicates that first responders are exposed to traumatic events at a higher rate than most professions.
According to Institutes of Health (2022), “More than 80% of first responders experience traumatic events on the job... In absolute numbers, an estimated 400,000 first responders in America have at least some symptoms of PTSD.”
Research also indicates that support is one of the primary factors that mitigate the impact(s) of trauma. Support following traumatic incidences promote resilience by enhancing coping skills and social support. This could be through a peer support community or clinical intervention (or both).
A part of the vision in creating Wholehearted Counseling was (and still is) community. Community has always been an important aspect of my life. I grew up in rural Ohio, so rural communities are very much woven into the threads my being. Since Wholehearted Counseling opened in 2018, I have continued to narrow my scope of practice to gain the knowledge and tools to work with trauma and the unique and specialized needs of first responders. I have also made connections in the responder community of Isle of Wight County, where the Carrollton office is located. I am honored to be a part of such a great community and network of individuals who make the daily sacrifice our responders do.
Isle of Wight Peer Support has recently relaunched their website. It focuses on the full spectrum of wellness needs for first responders, including, but not limited to, podcasts, psychoeducation, trainings, peer support, and mental health treatment. The site offers numerous resources for first responders- not just for those in Isle of Wight County.
If you are struggling, please seek help. You were never meant to do this alone.
Bryana Weaver, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, CCTP, CFRC
Co-Owner, Wholehearted Counseling
PTSD in First Responders. Institutes of Health. (2022, October 4). Retrieved March 5, 2023, from https://institutesofhealth.org/ptsd-in-first-responders/#:~:text=First%20responders%20with%20PTSD%20sometimes,alcohol%20use%20or%20substance%20abuse