TULSA — As the world, and Oklahoma, responds to the coronavirus pandemic, let's take a minute to talk about those on the front lines, and what they might be facing.
Here's Mike Brooks with some expert advice for law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and anyone working with the public.
When you think about it, hospitals, police departments and emergency services never really close.
Which means people in those professions don't have any down time.
2 Works for You's Mike Brooks spoke with an expert who says, it's very important to find a mental health professional, especially if you're on the front line.
"If you find yourself having extra stress in this time, especially if you're a veteran or law enforcement officer, a first responder, or health care provider, you need to take really good care of yourself. And if you feel your stress level going up, you probably need to go talk to someone," says Lauren Rich a Trauma Specialist. "Well the helpers are always the last ones to want to get help. You know, I'm all about helping other people, my job is to take care of you and in times like this, people just get exhausted. You can only do so many shifts before you just pass out on the couch."
Rich goes on to say, "Really my sales pitch for the first responder crowd, the LEOs, the veterans who are working double time is that we want to do this in a preventative manner before you crash, because once you crash, it's going to take you a lot longer to recuperate than just addressing things in a preventative manner."
Changes in your sleep pattern, insomnia, no appetite, and a lack of desire to do things - these are all indicators of stress. Rich says if you're a first responder you might not notice these right away, because you're just too busy helping other.
So do something for yourself, take action now and make that phone call to a mental health professional.
Take care of yourself once in a while.
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