As a first responder you are exposed to a large number of role-related challenges, which can sometimes lead to greater mental health difficulties than the general public.
Unfortunately, stigma (from yourself or from society) often exists around reaching out for help.
Stigma is a set of negative beliefs, attitudes, or stereotypes that society holds about something. It can have a significant impact on people, often not being based in fact and leading to unfair treatment. Self-stigma happens when a person believes these negative stereotypes to be true about themselves.
First responders are often associated with characteristics such as strength, resilience and self-reliance due to the nature of the work they carry out. You may feel that reaching out for help will be viewed as a sign of weakness and lead to social isolation, so you don’t put your hand up for support. You may also be concerned about negative career consequences of support-seeking.
The impact of stigma and self-stigma on the first responder is significant. It can lead to individuals not receiving the care they need, and a snow-balling of mental health difficulties.
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