YOU are not alone…

Approximately one in five people experience a mental health challenge in any given year—and for first responders, the risk is even higher due to the extraordinary stressors they face.

Trauma is a normal human response to an abnormal situation. Recognizing this can help shift your mindset from “What’s wrong with me?” to a more compassionate and empowering, “This is what’s happening to me.”

Rather than viewing trauma as a mental illness, it’s more accurate to understand it as an injury to the brain. If left unaddressed, however, that injury can develop into more serious conditions such as depression or anxiety.

What YOU can do…

You can build resilience to trauma—and specifically to moral injury—by fostering strong, healthy connections with others. Having a network of supportive, caring, and trustworthy people enhances your ability to process and cope with distressing experiences that may challenge your core values or sense of identity.

In addition to nurturing relationships, resilience can be strengthened through:

  • Developing emotional regulation skills – Learn to recognize, understand, and manage intense emotions in healthy ways.

  • Practicing self-compassion – Let go of harsh self-judgment and acknowledge your humanity, especially when facing ethical or moral conflict.

  • Engaging in open, honest communication – Sharing your experiences in safe, nonjudgmental spaces can ease the burden of guilt or shame often associated with moral injury.

  • Reflecting on personal values – Clarify and reconnect with what matters most to you. This can help reframe difficult experiences and restore a sense of purpose.

  • Seeking meaning and growth – Use your experiences as a catalyst for deeper understanding, growth, and service to others.

  • Accessing peer support and professional help – Trained peer supporters and mental health professionals can guide you through processing moral injuries and integrating those experiences in a healthy way.

By building coping skills, improving self-awareness, and staying connected, you create a strong foundation for healing and long-term resilience.