make the call . You have worked hard to save people you don ’ t know . Your partners would do anything to save your family . Make the call .
As part of this process , it was critical for me to identify and eliminate the non-profits that were non-responsive or had a delayed response for services . If you find yourself in this situation , be patient ; there are many services willing to help . You have to find the right fit .
Next , I asked the service providers I called if they were trained in veteran issues , first responder issues and / or traumatic therapy , commonly referred to as “ trauma informed care .” The ability to treat the unique needs of combat veterans and first responders who have experienced and seen trauma firsthand is a necessary skillset in order to achieve successful treatment . According to Psychology today , “ Over time , exposure to such stress can take a toll on first responders ’ mental and physical health . In some cases , post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) results , therefore it is necessary to seek trauma informed care . 4 Finally , I committed to the meetings offered by the
service provider . This is the most difficult and scary step . Was I crazy ? Were we all going to be ok ? Is this the end of my career ? Simply put , I found that my response to a very traumatic loss and my family members ’ response to grief was quite normal and we continue to work toward a healthy response to our deep grief caused by tremendous loss .
If you find yourself having thoughts of suicide , struggling with the grief of a traumatic event , reacting or overreacting to otherwise “ normal ” situations , it is ok to recognize that you are not ok . It is ok to seek the help of others , seek a peer counselor , seek professional services . Be patient with yourself . Be patient with others . Recognize that what you are feeling is normal and know that with the proper treatment you can be ok , and you will be ok . ■
REFERENCES
1
Sack , D . ( 2017 ). Trauma and First Responders When the Helpers Need Help . Psychology
Today . Retrieved from https :// www . psychologytoday . com / us / blog / where-science-meets-thesteps / 201701 / trauma-and-first-responders-when-the-helpers-need-help
2
Blue Help . Law Enforcement Suicide Statistics . Retrieved from https :// bluehelp . org / service / statistics /
3
Reagan , L . ( 2015 ). When Helping Hurts : Trauma Effects on First Responders . Retrieved from https :// www . goodtherapy . org / blog / when-helping-hurts-traumas-effects-on-firstresponders-0212154
4
Sack , D . ( 2017 ). Trauma and First Responders When the Helpers Need Help . Psychology
Today . Retrieved from https :// www . psychologytoday . com / us / blog / where-science-meets-thesteps / 201701 / trauma-and-first-responders-when-the-helpers-need-help
LIST OF SERVICE PROVIDING NON-PROFITS ( NOT AN ENDORSEMENT )
• Blue Help – www . Bluehelp . org
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - https :// www . suicidepreventionlifeline . org /
• Mighty Oaks - https :// www . mightyoaksprograms . org /
• The Sparta Project - https :// www . thespartaproject . org /
• Valor For Blue - https :// www . valorforblue . org /
• Stop Soldier Suicide - https :// www . stopsoldiersuicide . org /
• Veterans and First Responders Healthcare - https :// www . vfrhealthcare . com /
• Battle in Distress - http :// www . battleindistress . org /
• 22 Until None - https :// www . 22untilnone . org /
BIO James is a 15-year law enforcement veteran . He has worked at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff ’ s Department , Ventura Police Department and Ventura County District Attorney ’ s Office . The views above do not represent the views of the agencies above . He has also worked as a Gang Detective , Major Crimes Detective and is currently a District Attorney Investigator in Ventura County .
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32 California Police Chief | www . californiapolicechiefs . org