3/20/2023 0 Comments Suffering in silence![]() Her son rushes into her arms, and she holds him close, her whole body shaking. Her face is marred with bruises and blood trickles from her nose.Īs she hears a door slam below, a boy’s small head peeks around her bedroom doorframe. Subscribe NowĪ pregnant woman sits on a bed, sobbing softly and rubbing her stomach. In addition, intervene if you overhear others using verbally abusive language, and challenge misconceptions when you see or hear them.Subscribe to the Real Truth for FREE news and analysis. It also dehumanizes the people living with mental health conditions, dismisses their experiences and can discourage them from asking for support. Using derogatory terms perpetuates discrimination and stigma. For example, commit to using respectful and compassionate language to describe or talk about mental health. You also can help create a supportive environment, increase awareness and reduce stigma for those in your department who are struggling. Please note: If you are worried about the person’s immediate safety, do not leave the person alone. Then, check back in with the person in a day or two to see how things are going. Recommend they consider taking advantage of the free counseling sessions available to them through the MnFIRE Assistance Program, or to call MnFIRE’s 24/7 peer support hotline, both available at: 88. Remind them we all have challenging times in life, and getting extra support and guidance can help us get through those times. Listen with the aim to learn more from their perspective. If you notice a person is exhibiting the warning signs that last for two or more weeks, find a quiet place to ask, “Are you OK?” Compassionately and nonjudgmentally provide a few examples of what’s worrying you. ACT.™” from American the Psychiatric Association. If someone you know is showing warning signs and needs help coping with a situational or chronic mental health condition, reaching out can make a difference. Intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearance.Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress.Increased use of alcohol or other substances.Changes in eating habits, energy level or sleeping patterns.Extreme mood changes, including irritability or anger.Persistent sadness, hopelessness or “empty” feeling.Some common signs of mental illness include: They also seem angry, irritable, and prone to outbursts. ![]() ![]() For example, a previously energetic, reliable colleague now consistently seems fatigued, shows up late and looks disheveled. While different mental health conditions have different symptoms, with variances depending on the person, early warning signs include behavior changes over time that last for two or more weeks. You can help set the tone in your department so mental illness is destigmatized, and people feel encouraged to seek out help when they need it. This is all to say, one of your fellow firefighters may be suffering in silence. Or, they just might not know where to begin finding help. ![]() They might worry about being treated differently or losing their jobs. They might perceive themselves to be “weak,” feel ashamed, or tell themselves it’s “just a phase” that’ll pass if they push through. The stigma associated with mental health conditions causes many firefighters to stay quiet about what they’re really experiencing – and not seek treatment. People in the fire service experience much higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population – particularly in the areas of sleep disorders, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation/action. By MnFIRE Assistance Program partner, Optum
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