Mental health awareness:

This is the story I don’t usually tell, but today I’m gonna share a little about my struggle. In EMS, or honestly any healthcare field, there’s one question none of us ever really likes to be asked:“What’s the worst thing you’ve ever seen?”
The truth is… some calls never leave you.

It’s almost been a year since a call I responded to changed my life forever, and honestly changed a lot of people’s lives for that matter. The ones that were there that day know exactly what I mean. There are nights I wake up for no reason at all. There are days I still see all three people involved, and most days I at least see one of them in my mind.

When you’re called to do a job like EMS, police, fire, nursing, or anything in healthcare, you really only have two choices in those traumatic moments. You either break down and can’t function, or you block everything out and focus on helping the people you still can save. On that particular day, that’s exactly what had to happen. We pushed emotions aside and did our jobs.

But what people don’t see is that doing that comes with a price.
Since that day, people have told me, “You’re different.” Truthfully, they’re probably right. My lifestyle has changed. My outlook on life has changed. Some things that used to feel important don’t anymore. Little things don’t bother me near as much, but other things hit me harder than they ever did before. You start realizing how short life truly is. You hug your family tighter. You think more deeply. You carry memories nobody else can see.

In a way, if this job doesn’t change you, it probably isn’t the right fit for you. Seeing tragedy, loss, pain, and heartbreak on a regular basis will leave marks on a person whether they admit it or not.

The hardest part is that most first responders and healthcare workers become experts at hiding it. We joke, we laugh, we go back to work the next shift, and we continue showing up for complete strangers while silently fighting battles in our own minds.
This isn’t a sympathy post. This is a reminder. A reminder that the strong ones struggle too. The ones checking on everyone else may need someone to check on them. Mental health matters, and talking about it does not make you weak.
If you’re struggling, please talk to someone. And if you know someone in healthcare, EMS, fire, law enforcement, or any emergency field, check on them. Sometimes the loudest smile hides the heaviest burden.

You never know what someone is carrying long after the sirens stop.
Praying for all the family, responders, and people that stopped that day and truly thankful for each and everyone of you!