WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. -- Traumatic events can seriously affect victims and those who answer the call for help. That's why, on Monday and Tuesday, hundreds of first responders gathered in Ocean City for health and wellness training.
A Glimpse Into the Past:
The year was 1997. Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli's law enforcement career had just begun. That's when he was dispatched to Pocomoke City. A four-year-old was hit by a car.
"I can still remember her face, I remember her name, I remember the smell in the air, I remember the heat of that summer day and there are certain things in the summertime, certain smells of flowers trigger me and I go back to that day," said Crisafulli. "The family screaming, the trooper 4 helicopter flying over my patrol vehicle as I was racing to the hospital."
The child died from her injuries, and 27 years and eight months later, Crisafulli still holds on to that painful memory. He said that day represents a microcosm of what first responders go through regularly.
Unfortunately, the focus on mental health that exists today wasn't always the case.
"Over the course of time what we started to see, high divorce rates in public safety, alcoholism, suicide rates," said Crisafulli.
Focusing on the Here and Now:
It's why Crisafulli believes first responders need to be proactive with their mental health and attend events like one happening in Ocean City this week. 1st Responder Conferences, the organization hosting the training for mental health, is run by Shawn Thomas, a former police officer from Seattle, Washington.
Police, firefighters, EMS, military members and their families can attend the training, where Thomas said they are given tools to help cope with PTSD.
"It's not just traditional therapy, maybe you need yoga, maybe you need neuroscience feedback, maybe you need tapping, EMDR," said Thomas. "There's different things for different people."
Before those methods can work, however, former police officer Matt Brown said it's important to admit when you're not okay.
"The acceptance of those ideas and the understanding that we're all just human beings, doing tough jobs, jobs that most people wouldn't do or wouldn't want to do," said Brown.
First responders, urging one another to take time to focus on what's going on between the ears.
If you, a family member, friend or anyone you know is struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts, you can dial 988 for help.