Grief & Loss Amongst First Responders
If you read the news or follow certain social media accounts, you will not be surprised to read about the number of Line of Duty Deaths for first responders. Most civilians lack awareness of the risk responders encounter daily.
Grieving and mourning are difficult experiences for most of us and are generally done in public. Imagine processing your grief publicly when you are expected to be the strong and steady one, people looking to you for the answers.
Avoidance, Isolation, Fear = Stigma of Mental Health for First Responders
Research shows that on average a police officer will experience 3.5 traumatic events in a 6-month period, over a career of 20 to 30 years the number of traumatic experiences they may encounter is over 200 (police1.com). And yet – first responders are some of the most resilient individuals you will interact with. This is also a population with an extremely high amounts of suicides, PTSD, mental health concerns, chemical health concerns, and relational issues. What gives?
Introduction to AnchorPoint
I started AnchorPoint Therapy Services to provide a space for first responders, their families, and the community to process their unseen wounds and to promote wellness and healing. Growing up in a first responder home and within the community I experienced firsthand the effects of the job – physical and mental. I want to offer something to the community that wasn’t available 10, 15, 20 years ago.
