First responders are on the front lines of duty. Their service to their communities and loved ones are championed for their bravery and selflessness. However, such a line of work is not without intense stress.
First responders are often exposed to the most harrowing and dangerous scenarios possible. They are then asked to return to the field and brave the dangers again and again. Stress, trauma, anxiety, and more are all common for first responders.
However, this stress is not an isolated experience, and the families of first responders face their own traumas and stresses each day. The stress of being a first responder can bleed into one's family, and it is important to acknowledge these stresses to maintain a healthy family.
The Silence of First Responder Families
For many, celebrations and discourse around first responders are relegated to those on the front lines themselves. While this dialogue is certainly important, it is equally as important to consider the
experience and vicarious trauma that the families of first responders may face.
Stress, loss, and uncertainty plague not just those on the front lines, but the husbands, wives, and children at home. Providing a voice and care to first responders and their families is crucial for providing effective support to those who care for and protect the community.
The Unique Stress on First Responders' Families
The stress that the families of first responders face is a unique brand. As first responders tend to have long shifts, it is common that families will go without seeing or meaningfully interacting with these members of their family for extended periods of time, which has its negative effects. Not only will those in the field feel isolated in their stresses, but those at home may also be forced to wallow in their uncertainty until their loved one comes home.
However, this uncertainty is just the beginning of the stresses first responders' families can face. Having a loved one on the front lines of disaster can put a new tone to news of high-risk scenarios and natural disasters. Families may constantly worry and stress over the danger their loved ones may be facing.
They may feel the stress and anxiety of the situation through their concerns for their loved one's safety. This constant state of worry is incredibly taxing on one's mental and emotional health, creating a pervasive sense of anxiety, stress, and panic that can dictate one's life. Knowing a loved one may face life-threatening danger each day they put on a uniform is incredibly stressful.
Lastly, families of first responders are also at an increased risk of vicarious trauma. Not only do families view negative news outlets with a more personal frame of reference, but these families may also continue to hear about the difficulties a loved one faced on the job when they return home. Discussing on-the-job traumas can be extraordinarily difficult for families to process.
However, without an opportunity to process these experiences, first responders themselves may be at an increased risk for building traumas and feelings of isolation. This then can create a very delicate and difficult familial dynamic.
Keeping the Family Healthy
Familial health is both more difficult and more important when at least one of its members is a first responder. Making active efforts to maintain a healthy family dynamic is crucial for everyone's mental and emotional health. Finding a way to talk about stresses is important, just as it is also important to moderate how to discuss these stresses.
Dedicating time for these topics to be discussed, without forcing first responders to open up about an event if they are not ready to, is important. Setting a dedicated time each day or week can help to provide the necessary feeling of safety and stress. Doing so can also allow the families of first responders their own opportunities for mental respite.
Setting aside time each week for family activities can also keep the family and the stresses of the workplace separate. Taking a trip to the movies, mini-golf, or having a nice dinner out can all create a healthy outlet for families to engage in their own traditions and companionship without the interference of potentially traumatic talk.
Find Dedicated Family Counseling
Trauma, PTSD, stress, and more are all common for first responders and their families. Finding a dedicated first responder program or support groups for families of first responders is essential. Waiting until symptoms of PTSD and trauma have already manifested can complicate the recovery process. Establishing these outlets as early as possible can create a healthy approach to one's stresses at home.
Family programs can help create an atmosphere of support and trust, all while helping families and first responders learn active listening skills, as well as effective boundaries and support strategies. The families of first responders are deeply involved in the difficulties that first responders face in the field. Making the effort to provide support to these husbands, wives, and children is just as important as taking the time to support first responders themselves.
First responders and their families are crucial pillars of their communities. However, it is a difficult and traumatic position to occupy. At Chateau Recovery, we are prepared to help you and your family navigate the difficult and stressful world of first responders, providing dedicated first responder support programs and family programs to begin building a healthy and unified outlook.
Your time with us can be curated to your unique needs and goals. Whether you are coping with the anxiety and depression of the related stress or are working to overcome addiction as a coping mechanism, we are ready to create a plan for you.
For more information on how we can help you and your family, or to speak to a caring, trained staff member about your unique situation, call us today at (435) 222-5225.