What leads to this crucial need?

Let’s face it, life in general is tough.  Some of us though take on jobs to serve and unfortunately as a result of that service, there are events that occur that can have a lasting negative impact on one, especially if gone untreated.  Jim who worked as a Paramedic at his local fire department experienced the cost of his service firsthand.

Friends and family of Jim knew him as a happy, fun-loving and devoted family man.   Jim got into EMS with a desire to help others in their greatest time of need.  One day Jim experienced an event that could happen to any first responder any given shift that ultimately changed his life and that of his family.

Jim was on shift he and his partner Mike were dispatched to the scene of an accident.  Upon arrival they found a child around 5 years old, the same age of one of Jim’s kids.  To make it worse they find her barely breathing as a result of injuries.

Instinctively, Jim wanted to do everything possible so save this child’s life — after all it is an innocent child.  However, due to the magnitude of the accident Jim had to prioritize taking care of ones that have a better chance of survival.  As he had expected, the next day he learned that she had succumbed to her injuries.

And then…a couple shifts later Jim learns that the patient he decided to treat and transport ended up passing away as well.  When Jim learns of this additional news, he immediately begins to wonder “Did I make the right decision?  Could I have help give that girl a fighting chance?”  Perhaps even a feeling of guilt seeps in.

As days, weeks, and even years pass, the face of that child never leaves Jim.  He starts to see her at times as he lays down at night and closes his eyes.  He begins to have dreams of that call that haunts him.

This once outgoing and fun-loving person begins to uncharacteristically drink more and more.  Overtime, Jim begins to easily angered and struggling for good nights of sleep on a consistent basis.  The strain on Jim’s marriage becomes more amplified.  Unknowlingly he is also pushing his kids away.

You can replace Jim’s name with countless other individuals.  Fortunately, in the case of Jim, his wife was determined to fight for their relationship and learned that he was likely suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  With treatment and the right support system, Jim has been making strides in coping with the nightmare of thoughts about that night which creep up from time to time.  For the first time in months, Jim has a smile on his face that lights up a room.

Do you feel the need to speak to a trained counselor whether for yourself or a loved one?  This is made easy with a counselor available 24/7.

Call or Text

988