In a recent publication, Dr. Tomer Anbar, CEO of the Institutes of Health, shed light on the immense stress endured by our first responders. Daily, they navigate extreme and traumatic situations—from severe injuries to violent crimes and devastating accidents. While trained to manage chaos in the moment, the relentless exposure to such crises can be overwhelming, often leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that profoundly affects their mental and physical health. Unfortunately, systemic barriers, including friction between healthcare providers and insurers, have hindered access to necessary workers’ compensation for treatment. Additionally, the stigma surrounding mental health among first responders and their employers makes them reluctant to seek the help they need, driving people to suffer in silence, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
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Thankfully there is an increased focus on shifting this dynamic to create avenues for first responders to safely seek the help they need with the support of their employers and even payers. Kate*, the behavioral health and wellness manager for an organization of first responders, is part of the solution. Her career as a first responder and her own recovery journey span decades.
Working in the field put stress on her resolve over the years, but she’s managed to stay in recovery. Her experience gives her a unique understanding as to why many in the industry turn to self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. “In our profession, we can see more in a day than a civilian will see in their entire lifetime,” Kate said. “There are ramifications to our work that are undeniable.”
Recovery Path Was Forged at a Young Age
For Kate, drugs and alcohol came into her life as a teenager. Her family lived in a poorer area of a large city, and her relationships with her family were strained. She started running with gangs, and ultimately, at only 18 years old, her mother asked her to leave. After a period of couch surfing at friends’ places, she eventually hit bottom and ended up at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, which set her on the path to recovery. Getting sober so young was tough, especially as others around her were enjoying the party lifestyle. But she kept at it while she pursued her career as a first responder. She recently celebrated 37 years of sobriety.
Today Kate is a vital resource for other first responders in the organization. In her current job, she can be extremely open about her past, which is not typical for first responders. Fiercely independent and intensely private, many keep their struggles hidden. Despite witnessing the awful outcomes of drug and alcohol use almost daily, the fear, stigma, and shame that surrounds admitting they might have a problem is stronger.
Kate can relate. “For most of my career, I never told anyone,” she said. “But now that my job is to help others, I pretty much shout it from the rooftop.”
A Variety of Methods Are Required to Reach First Responders
Kate’s deep understanding of first responders’ concerns around seeking help made her aware of how necessary it is to have multiple ways to reach people. Some are comfortable using in-person, organization-led resources, but many—perhaps most—are not. “Not everyone fits the same mold, people need different things. But we can all get better,” she said.
That’s why Kate’s organization, which includes thousands of first responders, added two CHESS Health digital solutions to its employee support program offerings in 2023. ePrevention gives first responders a screening tool to anonymously assess their drug and alcohol use and take the first steps toward getting help. eRecovery and its powerful Connections smartphone app provide 24/7 supportive resources, including a crisis support button, for individuals in treatment and recovery.
Both digital tools are completely confidential and accessible anywhere. The organization worked with CHESS Health to ensure that no one can track who is using these tools. Kate shared this is likely one of the main reasons these tools are successful. Employees can seek help without fear of being judged or exposed, making them more likely to engage. “Even I can’t find out who is using the tools,” Kate said.
Fostering Trust, Empowering Change
Sometimes people choose to share with Kate that they’re using the Connections app, and she is heartened by what she hears. An employee recently told her he was struggling in the middle of the night, so he turned to the app. “Someone talked to him, and he didn’t drink,” she said.
Another employee resisted Kate’s efforts to get him to consider attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. “He didn’t want to go into treatment; he didn’t want to go to meetings. He had a laundry list of things he didn’t want to do,” Kate said.
Over time, she built a relationship with him and convinced him to try counseling. Shortly after, she introduced him to the Connections app, even though what she knew about his personality type and lifestyle made her doubt he’d ever use it. He proved her wrong.
“I thought, ‘He’s not going to be into this, he’s older, he’s not a phone guy. And then, two months later, he called me back. He said he uses the Connections app every day and hadn’t had a drink in 52 days — only using the Connections app,” she said. “That one surprised me.”
Peer Support Helps Employees Feel Understood
The Connections app is peer-based, putting first responders in touch with others who are in recovery, and CHESS Health’s team of peer-engagement specialists moderate the discussions and lead the virtual support meetings. Kate provides peer support in her role with the organization, and she seeks it out, too, through 12-step meetings and her own use of the Connections app.
“I know peer support works,” she said. “Peer support is evidence-based, and it means a lot to people. They relate to it much more than somebody who hasn’t walked in their shoes.”
It also plays a role in reinforcing the resolve of people whose job it is to help others. Kate said even in her own peer support role, she feels the encouragement and positivity come back around to her as she works with others.
“What I’ve found is that as they get better, it helps me,” she said. “I’m reinforcing it to myself. You can get better and stay better. It gives me a lot of hope.”
High stress will always be part of the job, but first responders don’t have to get stuck in the suffering. Seeking help and healing can restore their sense of self and often reignites their dedication to the mission.
“We’re a highly motivated workforce. We serve because of our strong sense of duty,” she said. “When we get off the substances, heal our trauma, and work with mental health professionals, we return to work healed. We can become even better employees.”
For insights into how Kate’s organization has reduced recruiting expenses through improved employee support and retention, explore the case study: Transforming Behavioral Health Support for First Responders.
*To safeguard the organization and its staff, we have refrained from mentioning its name and use the alias “Kate” for the Program Manager.
