Occasionally I see a story that warms my ole’ EMS heart.
Within a week of reporting that the British Columbia EMS system had denied a medic’s claim of post-traumatic stress disorder because of a one-year time limit, a small group of EMS providers launched a Facebook page that sheds light on the issue of stress and suicide among Canada’s public safety professionals.
Within a week of its launch, the site has reach over 70,000 people, and has gained both industry and public media attention.
PTSD in EMS is a serious issue that merits serious attention. Being told to “suck it up” is not helpful — in fact, the potential for harm is significant. Being told that, “it’s part of the job, and get over it” normalizes abnormal responses to abnormal situations.
While some of us may end up processing our emotions successfully, others will require a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to lean on. Others may require professional help. Each one of us reacts to crazy situations differently. It’s what makes us unique.
Let’s help our brothers and sisters today from the great white north. Like their Facebook page and share a photo of yourself or your crew and tag it with #ivegotyourback911.
It’ll be worth the few minutes, and maybe we can shed light on PTSD at home, too.
