Suffering in Silence: One Paramedic's Journey Through Post-Traumatic Treatment

Post-Traumatic Stress Injury is often spoke about in hushed tones and abstractly, but what exactly does it look like? The reality is first responders today are exposed to trauma unlike anything that has been encountered in America before. Despite advances in medical technology saving more lives, the death toll has remained stable, leading us to speculate that first responders are actually seeing much higher levels or traumatic events than has been previously thought. Without appropriate resources, the epidemic of mental health crisis among first responders will continue to grow. This presentation will share the story of one first responder's path of recognition of a problem and seeking treatment. This presentation will also discuss current trends in the treatment of post-traumatic stress response among first responders. Lastly, we will also discuss how leaders of organizations can continue to encourage employees to strive for mental wellness and break down barriers between first responder and mental wellness.