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;