Matters Of The Mind: Trauma Takes A Toll On First Responders

http://media.boston.cbslocal.com/CBSBOS_20150608063445727AA.mp4 BOSTON (CBS) – One-third of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical workers exposed to a traumatic call will be profoundly and deeply affected by what they’ve seen, according to research from Massachusetts first responder advocates. For Hayden Duggan of Westminster, the call that changed the path of his career was a house fire in the 1980’s where a 12-year-old girl was said to be trapped on the second floor. Read: More Matters Of The Mind “We gave up on fire suppression and just dumped the house looking for her,” said Duggan. Later Duggan and his fellow firefighters found the girl dead in the cellar of the home. “I thought I was fine. In this business we say fine is fouled-up, insecure, needy and emotional,” he says with wisdom he didn’t have at the time. “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Hayden Duggan (WBZ-TV) For Duggan, the job was never quite the same after that particular call. He coped with his guilt by self-medicating with alcohol. Duggan spent eight years in the grips of alcoholism and in the process, quit doing the job he loved. When he finally got help, Duggan realized there was a need for something to help first responders unpack the heavy weight they carry on a daily basis. He says traditional hospitals are necessary for acute cases and outpatient therapy is critical for maintenance of emotional and mental well-being. But what if th...
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