In Ep. 64: Showing Up to a Suicide, Part II, we talk with Firefighter Captain Scott Shaunfield about his role on a peer support team within the fire service. Many first responder organizations (fire, police, EMS, and others) utilize some sort of peer support to assist their members in coping with traumatic exposures. They are particularly valuable to First Responders because of the frequency of traumatic events in their work. Additionally, First Responders don’t always feel comfortable disclosing the toll of their jobs to outsiders. Sometimes for fear of judgement or concern that what they’ve seen may be too difficult for others to hear. Many First Responders are more likely to open up to those they view as a part of their world/culture.
Do First Responders Get Used to Dealing with Trauma?
NO! In our previous blog, “You Never Get Used To It: First Responders & Suicide Attempts,” we go into great detail about this issue. In short, there is no “getting used to” witnessing trauma. First Responders sometimes say that “their normal day is your worst day ever.” This does not mean that they are unfazed by what they do in their work. They are quicker to distinguish a genuine crisis from a manageable situation, and they are more skilled in knowing what to do in an emergency, but they are human beings first. They are vulnerable to being emotionally affected and even traumatized by scenes of injury, death, and destruction.
Suicide Is Traumatic
The willful act of taking one’s life is a traumatizing event. This is especially true for those closest to the suicidal person. First Responders do not usually know the suicidal person. They have some insulation from that type of emotional response. However, more than most of us, they are in the business of saving lives. A death to them is not a statistic but a personal encounter. With suicide, it is an encounter with someone who did not have to die. The circumstances of the death or injury by suicide attempt make a difference as well. A person who overdoses is a loss, but a young person who takes their life may affect them differently–especially if they are parents, for example. As Captain Shaunfield noted, the First Responder’s own history with suicide can also add to the traumatic load when they make a suicide call.
The level of difficulty for a First Responder at a traumatic scene may vary based on their own history and circumstances surrounding the event:
- Level of violence
- Similarity in appearance or situation to themselves or to family members or friends of the responder
- Age of the victim
Peer Support Teams
Whenever First Responders make a call that is particularly difficult for them, peer support teams may be alerted. Peer teams are usually composed of senior First Responders like Captain Shaunfield–individuals “who have been there, done that.” They understand the experience in the field. Once selected to be on the peer support team, they receive training on how to use crisis intervention techniques to help those who have witnessed a traumatic event. Often, the words of comfort, support, and just shared experience from a peer support member can make all the difference in helping after a traumatic scene. Peer support services are usually brief, provided soon after the traumatic event, staffed by local peers (e.g., members of the same department), and tailored to the particular situation.
Peer support can be useful not only for First Responders but also to other groups. Many organizations such as hospitals and other industries have added peer support elements to their institutions. (e.g., for teachers after a school shooting). Typically, peer support teams have mental health professionals or chaplains who serve as technical consultants and referral sources for the team. In Captain Shaunfield’s department, a clinical psychologist serves to train the peer team members and oversee the work of the peer responders. When an individual needs more intense or more extended care than the team can offer, they are referred to the mental health professional for the team.
In Conclusion…
Peer support teams can make a big difference for those who are confronted with a traumatic situation, especially First Responders. These teams provide validation and support from equals. They can also provide a way of connecting persons who are more distressed by an event to mental health professionals. Peer support in suicides can help lessen the traumatizing effects of the event.