In this session, we will explore the responder as a “whole” person, addressing the various sources of stress that impact us, including stress from personal life and from the organizations we work for. We will briefly touch on how our culture is slowly evolving to recognize and discuss critical incident stress and PTSD. The conversation will also cover the physiological and psychological changes that can occur when we struggle to cope effectively. We will examine strategies that contribute to stress resilience and conduct an in-class survey to assess how resilient we are to stress on an individual level. (Trigger warning.) The class will also hear stories of responders who turned to negative coping mechanisms, as well as accounts of responders who died by suicide. The session will conclude with a meaningful discussion on resilience and the importance of self-care.
