The First Responder Healing Manual

Book excerpt: Every day, first responders immerse themselves in the chaos and confusion of other people's very bad days. Eventually, it takes a toll. How do you handle it? Suck it up and drive on - right? But which is best: to stuff it, employ temporary coping mechanisms and self-medicate in harmful ways, or to experience actual healing and resilience from God - your Creator and Healer? This interactive manual combines best practices from the medical and mental health communities with the timeless principles from the Bible that have addressed the effects of stress and trauma for centuries. In this manual you will find step-by-step principles that will help you: -Understand how the stress and trauma you experience in the line of duty affects you physically, psychologically and spiritually. -Become intentional about creating a healing environment for yourself and your family. -Adopt therapeutic spiritual disciplines. -Process your loss and grief. -Experience the freeing influence of giving and receiving forgiveness - from God and from others. -Rebuild your identity based on what God says about you. -Strengthen yourself spiritually against future stress and trauma. -Connect with those who will support you in positive ways. -Learn how to deal with Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. -Understand how to help your family as they respond to your stress and trauma. -Make plans for the future as a strengthened man or woman of God. While this manual is best employed in a small group environment where group members form a cohesive unit to encourage each other along, it can be used "solo" by a motivated individual who is serious about processing their stress and trauma and moving on to strength, stability and resilience for the future.