Burnt out

[burntoutfirstresponder]

My username kinda explains why I'm here, but I'm a volunteer first responder and for the last year I've been struggling a lot with things I've experienced over the years. I still love what I do, but I struggle sometimes to put my uniform on because I feel ashamed that I'm weak for my mental health struggles. I do have people in my service I can talk to, but there's a lot of pressure when they know me, I feel like some anonymous chat and support might help, but also offering support to others cause it's what I do on the daily.

[Croix]

Dear BFR~

Welcome here to the Forum. It is a place where we help each other so your offer to help others is welcome, generous and says a lot about you.

Nobody is a superhero, and the amout of trauma you can deal with naturally without some form of reinforcement is finite. it sounds as if the well is getting dry. As an ex-policeman I know the feeling, however I made the mistake of never telling anyone , and ended up suicidal and invalided out of the force. Not a good example.

Any organisation worth its salt recognizes this simple fact its staff are human and tries to offer counceling, leave and other supports. If all that is holding you back is embarrassment and a completely mistaken idea of weakness then please do not make my blunder, talk with and make use of the resources you are offered.

Yes it can be hard to open up to someone who knows you, so pick who it is. Anyone who has the official role of suppport/counselor will be only to glad to help you ease your burden, not only would they naturally be concerned about you but also want you healthy long-term. (Once you start it gets easier as I found out too late).

If it is simply too hard then please seek private assistance, however it will cost money, and whoever you pick may not understand the unique mental dangers of your job, so if possible in-house can be better.

Anonymous chat is a start and you can talk to several here, myself included. There is also a thread called

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/ptsd-and-trauma/ptsd-for-medical-and-first-responders/td-p/12364...

which is a bit quiet at the moment but if you were to post there someone may read it and reply too.

I hope to hear from you again

Croix

[jaz28]

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing burnout, it must be hard for you. But thank you for all the work you do as a responder, I appreciate you.

It is hard to talk to people about mental health when they know you, because it is so stigmatized. But as Croix said, choose who you want to open up to and who you feel comfortable with. And of course, us at the forums are always here to lend a listening ear and some support if you need it.

I hope things improve soon,

Jaz xx

[indigo22]

Hi burntoutfirstresponer,

Firstly, thank you for your service, I can only imagine the experiences you and Croix have had to deal with and the anguish that those experiences cause long term. I just want to try to help you put something you said in perspective if I may. If you had a friend who was experiencing battle fatigue and ptsd, would you consider him weak and think he should be ashamed for having mental health struggles? I am guessing your answer would be no. As far as I am concerned, there is no difference in the two situations. First responders are some of the most courageous  and unselfish people on the planet who potentially put their lives on the line each time they go out. In my humble opinion, you have nothing to feel ashamed for. Thank you again for all that you have done and continue to do.

indigo22