On an almost daily basis, first responders are exposed to intense traumatic events not imaginable to the general population. Our brains were not made for absorption of cumulative intense traumatic experiences. Acute, repeated, or chronic traumas take their toll on our body and brain, potentially reducing life expectancy or killing brain cells. That impact on us can make us sick mentally and physically.
At the same time, many first responders may feel that admitting to experiencing mental health challenges could be seen as a sign of weakness or incompetence. This stigma can be reinforced by outdated and harmful cultural norms within the profession, by colleagues, family members, or friends.
In this webinar, we will explore the fear of negative consequences, the pressure to maintain a “tough” persona, and strategies for overcoming these barriers. Please join us on May 31, 2023, for this important discussion.
Participants:
Shaun Abbey
Shaun Abbey has been in the fire service for over 30 years. He started his career as a paid-on-call firefighter with the Springfield (MI) Fire Department and is currently a battalion chief with the Kentwood Fire Department. Over the course of his career, Shaun realized that our lives and work have become more stressful and the solutions we were given to cope were not effective for everyone. Looking for more answers, he has advocated for better emotional support for the fire service and currently sits on the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Commission. Shaun has had several close firefighters die by suicide and his goal is to improve emotional health for all firefighters, eliminate the stigma associated with mental health and abolish suicide.
Ellen Abbey
Ellen Abbey was raised in the home of a first responder giving her a unique perspective on the family life of a firefighter. As Ellen started college, she realized she wanted to become a counselor and work with first responders and their families. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University. Ellen is a licensed clinician with Encompass that has a program called Backing the Badge that provides employee assistance resources for first responders and their families. Ellen currently works with many fire, police and county departments across the state.