How First Responders Use Virtual Reality Therapy to Process Trauma & Prepare for Mass Casualty Events
According to new research, first responders report significantly high Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) rates during the pandemic. The study, which included 1,000 frontline workers, stated that nearly one-quarter exhibited signs of the mental health disorder. However, to put this into perspective, only 6.8 percent of the general population ever experiences PTSD in their lifetime, according […]
Traumatic Incident Stress & First Responders: How It Can Lead to PTSD and Resources to Help During Recovery
Arash Javanbakht, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Wayne State University, wrote an article on the recent mass shootings and the effects on first responders, stating, “Mass shootings leave emotional and mental scars on survivors and first responders. While victims try to run away from an active shooter, the police, firefighters, and paramedics rush into the […]
PTSD & Cognitive Effects in First Responders: Symptoms, Treatment, and Hope
The Journal of Emergency Medical Services suggests the mental health of first responders is highly overlooked. Even with the constant exposure to the job’s trauma and physical demands, front-line workers’ mental health needs are still not a priority. This oversight leads to re-occurring stress, suicide-ideation, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among first responders – resulting in health […]
Trauma & Stress on First Responders: How Exercise May Be the Intervention Needed to Increase Resilience
First Responders are expected to maintain high-performance levels and make the right decisions under extreme conditions. However, exposure to violence, human suffering, and aspects of the job itself, such as physical work demands and unpredictable schedules, are demanding, taking a heavy toll on these frontline workers. These demands can lead to stress, anxiety, trauma, suicide-ideation, […]