Hashtag BuddyCheck

If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

You wouldn’t ignore a low fuel warning light in your vehicle, let’s not ignore it within our bodies.
Time to checkin with yourself. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating a balanced diet? Are you practicing self-care?
Those small changes can often be predictors for building stress levels.

If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters
First Response Peer Support Network
BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

Many times, people choose to not act out of fear of failure. Don't be afraid of failure.
Be afraid of being in the exact same spot next year. Take chances . It's how we grow & learn.

If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters
First Response Peer Support Network
BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

Recently I was helping a Veteran and he shared with me a question his VA therapist asked him & I thought it was fairly thought provoking.....
So take all ur sh*tty memories and bad things that happened to u and put them into a object and swallow it. This is what most people do to hold in their feelings.
So question I’m asking all of you is what object would you put it in and what color would it be??
And in good spirits I will share with you my answer....
I said a Rubix’s Cube. They come in
all sizes, all of the colors are mixed up and nobody can ever figure them out. But in emergency situations u can just peel off the colors and put them back to match and pretend u did it.
тм

For all my brothers and sisters that may be struggling, I can see your pain & because I’ve been there I know the feeling of being crushed by the weight of it. But, what I can also see is you waking up every single day with the courage it takes to keep going. To look into those deep holes you see inside of yourself and keep moving forward. That, is true strength and is bigger than that weight of the pain you feel.
If you ever feel like you may be loosing that battle & cannot keep going. Please remember that you are not alone. You have already made it so much further than you probably thought was possible. If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

So many people are hanging on by the thinnest of threads. Treat people with kindness, you could be that thread…..

If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters
First Response Peer Support Network
BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

Man…I think most of us dudes are great at saying that first part, and we don’t think long enough to get to the second part, but a lot of us feel it. This one hit me right between the eyes. Mental health is just as important as hitting the gym, more so even. Don’t neglect yours.

Disclaimer: I’m great at giving sound advice that I proceed to immediately not follow myself.

"You don't survive this career by being bulletproof. You survive it by knowing when to take off the armor and just be human."

If anyone in is
struggling please .
If you know someone out there in ‘buddy nation’ who may be struggling please as they may not be able to ask for help.

™️






InternationAssociationOfFireFighters
First Response Peer Support Network
BlueLineSupport NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline Code4Couples FirstResponderPsychology How2LoveOurCops

All posts and shared material found on ™️ is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant as a substitute for advice or treatment from a Mental Health Professional

When it comes to First Responder Mental Health and Wellness…. If you’re going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk! Everyone can attend conferences, do this or do that and say this and say that when it comes to taking care of our own but will you truly be ready to step up when a member is in need? Do you have a plan in place? Do you have the skills and empathy for your members? My educated guess is no. We need to do better. We can’t just say what others need too hear because it’s the “trendy” thing to talk about now. We need to be proactive and always do the right thing for our members mental health and wellness. The Department is watching.

I will listen.

Sometimes, as we work through the stresses of life our mental health can feel overwhelming — like being consumed by quicksand. Did you know that the following are recommended for surviving if you’re trapped in quicksand?
Make yourself as light as possible by discarding extra items.
Try to take a few steps backwards.
Try to reach for a fixed object, or a person’s hand, to pull yourself out.
Take deep breaths, move slowly and deliberately.
All of the same apply to self care. Discard extra emotional or mental baggage that might be bringing you down. Take a step back and observe the situation from a “bird’s eye” view. Reach for a friend, and be a friend to those in need around you. Take deep breaths and be deliberate in your actions and thoughts.
You will get through this! You just have to start moving.

™️
IGY6