Emergency responders: your mental health in the pandemic

In the emergency services, dealing with difficult situations has always been part of your job. But the COVID-19 pandemic has, in many cases, made working in the ambulance, police and fire services particularly traumatic.

This page from Mind talks about many of the feelings and experiences shared by emergency responders during the pandemic, including

• loneliness,
• anxietyAnxietyAnxiety is familiar to everyone; it is usually a normal, useful and effective response in times of heightened stress, and something which can be understood and resolved. However, some people experience intense and prolonged periods of anxiety, which if left...Find out moreClose,
• trauma and post-traumatic stress disorderPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder which you may develop after being involved in, or witnessing, traumatic events. The condition was first recognised in war veterans and has been known by a variety of names, such...Find out moreClose,
• guilt,
• feeling overwhelmed, and
• feeling that you don’t deserve support yourself.

It then has a range of simple, practical tips to make things a little easier. They include:

• mindfulness tips, and doing a ‘body scan’ after work,
• taking care of your physical health,
• dealing with news and social media, and
• seeking support and asking for help.

You’ll also find a range of links to other resources and sources of help, including many of those that are here on Mental Health at Work.