How do first responders manage to witness trauma and violence day in and out without damage to their mental health and emotional well-being? This is a key question, aptly raised in the recent op-ed, “Mental health programs for our first responders must be improved, expanded.”
The simple and direct answer is: Trauma and stress experienced by first responders in fact poses significant mental health risk. While attracting little attention, and even less response, we know law enforcement officers and other first responders deal with mental health consequences from relentless exposure to personal danger, violence and animosity. During the past three years, the assault on their mental health may have worsened due to increasing violence and pandemic-related stress.
