It is always encouraging to see public figures opening up about their own struggles and advocating for understanding of the impact of responding and witnessing trauma upon mental health. Good on Prince William this week for highlighting the burden that can fall upon emergency service workers.
“If we weren’t affected by emotions, we’d all be robots. So, you know, it’s OK to be affected by emotions. It’s very British for us all to worry about, you know, being affected by emotions – but we all are.
“That’s what makes our relationships important. It’s crucial. But it’s just managing those feelings so we can have time to feel we can breathe again.”
“We cannot expect our emergency responders to be able to continually shoulder the strain of their roles without any consequences…”
Not wanting ‘to be a burden’ may prevent us opening up, but continuing to carry the burden alone can be damaging and affect mental health adversely.
Emerging From The Dark Night 