Question

Choose a type a traumatic event that first responders can be exposed to and research a professional journal article (only one article should be presented) that discusses the possible health impact, either physical or psychological. Please summarize and discuss the implications of the article. Provide the class with the reference for the article.

Answer 1

First Responders are those individuals who posses specialized skills and are first to respond to any traumatic event like an accident, terror attack, natural disaster and so on. Since they are first to witness the loss of life and property or first in line to face the threat they can face grave physical and psychological distress.

For further illustration, let me focus on an article in Washington Post titled “First responders struggle with PTSD caused by the emergencies, deaths, tragedies they face every day”, published Oct 26, 2019. The article clearly light on the psychological distress that a traumatic event can have on first responders even years after the event has passed.

Unfortunately there is less recognition of the mental trauma that first responders go through or channels to seek mental health consultation. They also face negative attitudes for the same.

There is also problem with the larger culture that denies that healthy people too need help and assistance sometimes. They are seen a invincible to deal with anything.

It is crucial that stigma around mental health reduces and these people can seek help in which ever capacity they require.