responders are at risk for increases in psychological symptoms
responders are at risk for increases in psychological symptoms
Reply separately to each of the following two classmates’ posts. In your reply posts, select two peers’ posts that address a policy other than the one you chose.
In 200 to 400 words, explain how you think their policy will impact access to care and costs.
TURNITIN ASSIGNMENT (FREE OF PLAGIARISM)
POST # 1: Bridget
First responders are routinely exposed to traumatic events while on their job. There is overwhelming literature that supports that responders are at risk for increases in psychological symptoms (such as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary traumatic stress, and burnout) and decreases in well-being (including overall resilience and compassion satisfaction) (Tran, 2018). Flannery writes that responding to critical incidents may result in 5.9–22 % of first responders developing psychological trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. These impacts may be physical, mental, and/or behavioral (2015). The first-responder population is at a high risk of developing mental health crisis due to the daily occurrence of critical incidents.
One major new health policy that is appropriate for implementation is requiring mandatory and routine mental health screenings for first responders such as paramedics, fire-fighters, and police officers. These screenings may be implemented through a protocol either in intervals of every six months or required after a particularly traumatic experience in the field. It is important to bring attention of the importance of this issue to our legislators so that formal action can be taken in order to advocate for this population’s health. Brownson, Proctor, and Purtle write, “Legislators (i.e., elected Senators and House Representatives at the federal- and state-level) are a critically important dissemination audience because they shape the architecture of the US mental health system through budgetary and regulatory decisions” (2017). Researchers writes that therapeutically addressing professional quality of life, specifically secondary traumatic events, and increasing self-efficacy (e.g., via Cognitive Behavioral Therapies), may reduce risk for adverse stress reactions in first responders (Brooks, Feeney, Hirsch, et al., 2016)
I chose this topic because I have witnessed firsthand the negative consequences of the lack of mental health services available in the paramedicine field specifically. I live in an area of MA containing cities that have the highest call-volume for emergency services. In this area, where I am currently working as an RN, there has been an increase in fire-fighter/paramedic suicides. Many members of this occupation are also known to be heavy drinkers. They are often mentally exhausted following emotionally exhausting shifts which then keep them from being able to maintain healthy hobbies outside the workplace. There is a lack of services available to first responders as far as debriefing after trauma situations and offering coping skills. If legislation is passed that requires cities and town to fund mental health services for their first responders, the overall health of this population will improve. The positive results of adequate mental health services legislation will be clear in under 5 years’ time. With increased occupational quality of life and strengthened coping skills, first responders will be better able to conduct healthy lifestyles out of work. Legislation that ensures frequent mental health maintenance through accessible support systems will allow for decreased stress levels and less incidence of depression. Tran cites studies that note that perceived accessibility of social support was associated with lower symptoms of PTSD, lower symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, lower general psychological distress (using a measure of stress, anxiety, and depression), higher resilience, and higher compassion satisfaction (2018).
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