First Responder Retention: Mental Health’s Role & Solutions

While there is a serious need for dedicated first responders to enter and stay in the field, the mental health repercussions of the job are a major obstacle in the attracting and retaining of talent. What are the unique mental health experiences that can affect first responders’ job satisfaction and quality of life, and what treatments can help? Answers to these sorts of questions can shed light on the role of mental health in shortages of law enforcement and emergency personnel.

What is the Impact of Mental Health Issues on First Responders’ Job Satisfaction and Performance?

The stress associated with first responder jobs can lead to various mental health conditions. According to Psychiatric Times, 30 percent of first responders will develop a behavioral or mental health problem such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or a substance abuse problem. In the general population, the statistic is 20 percent. It is also believed, according to estimates, that as many as 300 police officers commit suicide each year, and that the mental health risks associated with first responder roles exceed those posed by other occupations.

As a result, the risk for first responder job dissatisfaction is high. Not only is the mental health aspect of the job likely to impact a first responder’s decision to stay in the field or leave, but the other aspects of the job (i.e. lower pay, ongoing training requirements, few perks, etc.) also impact first responder attrition and retention.

First responder administrators know that mental health problems can have an impact on job performance and that first responders who are struggling with a mental health crisis may find it difficult to perform their duties well.

What are the Common Mental Health Challenges That First Responders Face?

First responders face a higher-than-average risk for developing mental health conditions that include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health condition that typically involves flashbacks to the point of trauma in a person’s memory. Symptoms like generalized anxiety, insomnia, and rash can also accompany the disorder. With treatment, which typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, or biofeedback, clients can experience an improvement in their condition.

Depression

One in six adults will experience at least one clinical bout of depression in their adult lives. The depression can be debilitating and involve suicidal thoughts. Many first responders may choose to self-medicate. The use of alcohol or pills (i.e. prescription or illicit drugs) can pave the path to drug or alcohol addiction.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a mental health condition that’s associated with serious fear–even panic. A first responder is vulnerable to mental health conditions. People with anxiety might experience panic attacks or even difficulty breathing. Anxiety is a treatable condition, but many first responders are afraid to seek treatment for it out of fear that their condition will scrap the prospect of promotion.

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How Can Work-Related Stress and Trauma Influence First Responders’ Mental Health?

Work-related job stress is a serious issue for first responders and their mental wellbeing. Whether they witness trauma or experience it, they can suffer tremendously. First responders are typically first on the scene in the worst-case situations. Witnessing people, especially children, get injured in a fire can trigger an inordinate amount of stress and impact first responder’ mental health.

Moreover, many first responders have experiences that impact their stress levels too. Police officers can get shot at. Firefighters can sustain serious injuries. EMTs can face an emergency where their skillset only goes so far. These job stressors, if not managed effectively, can impact a person’s mental health wellbeing.

How Important is Mental Health Support and Resources for First Responders?

Compounding these mental health challenges is the problem of a lack of treatment and peer-appropriate resources for first responders. Early intervention can often relieve mental health symptoms before they escalate, but many first responders aren’t able to access this type of care. Seeing a therapist may be prohibitively expensive because the option is not covered by a health plan, for example.

The unique mental health needs of first responders also call for specialized treatment and support. Today, the medical community is largely aware of issues like substance abuse and its higher prevalence among the first responder community, yet there remains a scarcity of recovery resources geared specifically for this population.

What are Some Strategies and Initiatives to Enhance First Responder Mental Health and Promote Retention?

Fortunately, mental health providers have many different treatment techniques and methodologies to promote wellbeing and effective management of mental health conditions for first responders such as depression and anxiety.

Treating first responders who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental illness often begins with a careful evaluation. At FHE Health, our medical providers perform a thorough psychiatric evaluation to determine the individual’s needs. This evaluation includes a “neuro assessment,” which uses the latest technologies to provide a map of the brain and identify its areas of dysregulation. From there we’re able to recommend a plan of treatment, including medication, therapies like EMDR, peer support groups, and “neurotherapy” to restore areas of brain dysfunction.

If you are a first responder and suffering from a mental health issue, don’t go it alone. At Shatterproof at FHE Health, our specialized treatment program for first responders, many people have found healing, recovery, and a new lease on life.