Moline, Illinois (KWQC) – A new course called Post-Traumatic Purposes has been introduced in Quad Cities to raise awareness about the mental health challenges facing first responders.
This course takes a deep dive into how to recognize and address mental health challenges before it’s too late.
Travis Howze created the Post Traumatic Purpose seminar in hopes of changing the mental health prejudices of first responders. According to him, what first responders see on the job usually stays with them throughout their careers and even beyond.
“Unfortunately, this job follows you home,” Howes said. “The problem is this: There is a terrible lack of communication with family, therapists, doctors, and other people who can really help us and help us unburden a little bit more than lighten the load a little bit. We don’t do that, and our problem is that we internalize everything throughout our careers.”
This stigma has carried the belief for generations that asking for help is a sign of weakness.
“When I was working, I wasn’t the kind of person who would take care of people, so all we have to do is take care of each other and do a better job.” “Unfortunately, I was the guy who did the exact opposite, and I don’t want to see that happen to anyone else. This is fixable and people don’t want it to happen.” Thankfully, we are now undergoing such a huge change in our way of thinking that we are now at a point where they are welcomed. When I started doing this, it wasn’t very welcoming.”
A firefighter from the East Moline Fire Department spoke about how his perspective on PTSD and mental health changed after the seminar.
“It’s a very real thing. Everyone experiences it in a different way,” said Connor Benson. “It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old. Some people experience things differently, but it’s very real and it happens to everyone, whether you’re ready or not. , sometimes appearing later in life, and we should always look after our minds and mental health.”
We still have 4 sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday. Sessions are held daily at 8:30am and 1:30pm at Moline’s Vibrant His Arena. If you are a first responder or a family member of a first responder and wish to enroll, mabas43peersupport.org/events
Copyright 2022 KWQC. All rights reserved.
