Mental Health Injury Awareness for First Responders

Psychological injuries that have occurred at the workplace can be detected through noticing the following:

  • Challenges sleeping:  nightmares/terrors, inability to fall asleep, waking up early without being able to resume sleep;
  • Intrusive remembering:  intrusive images, powerful imagery, or repeatedly reviewing events;
  • Desire to numb:  using substances to avoid emotional intensity;
  • Desire to isolate:  pulling back from family and friends, avoiding otherwise enjoyable social situations, wanting to be alone more than previously;
mental health injuries first responders
  • Emotional intensity:  feeling hopelessness, guilt or shame;
  • Over-working: at the expense of important relationships;
  • Suicidal thoughts.