Introductions Thread!
Welcome to the space on 7cups dedicated to help support individuals working in the emergency services or in a medical profession!
This includes (but is by no means limited to): Police, Fire and Rescue, Ambulance, Call Handlers, Dispatch, Search and Rescue, First Responders, Nurses, Doctors, Healthcare Support Workers, Air Ambulance, Porters, Carers, Coastguard, Humanitarian Workers…
Individuals in these professions deal with a unique mixture of stressors - including shift work, long hours, overtime, acutely stressful environments, danger, PTSD, negative public perception, witnessing death, verbal abuse, physical assaults, extreme societal expectations… the list goes on - fundamentally its hard to understand what it is like to work in these environments until you have experienced it first hand.
Please feel free to introduce yourself here! You can let us know a bit about yourself and what brings you to this part of the site. We want to get to know a bit about you so here is a place for you to get to share about you and to get to know others. If you are a bit stumped on what to write, here are some Icebreaker questions to help you get started!
How long have you been associated with an emergency or medical profession?
What is your favourite animal?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Would you like to be added to a tag list for future posts?
Here are a few resources to have a look at if you are interested, add your own if you have any to share!
Mind Blue Light www.mind.org.uk/information-support/working-in-the-emergency-services/
The Ambulance Service Charity www.theasc.org.uk
The Fire Fighters Charity https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
ZDoggMD zdoggmd.com
Police Federation https://www.polfed.org/our-work/mental-health/
NAMI Law Enforcement https://www.nami.org/find-support/law-enforcement-officers
Police Charities UK https://policecharitiesuk.org
Greetings! I am a Registered Nurse working in a non clinical role right now which to be honest I'm seriously thankful for but at the same time I do feel some guilt. The stories and accounts I've read from my nursing brothers and sisters have downright brought me to tears. This whole situation we are in is just sad. I want to help where I can. Thank you for having me!
@peacefulTime1414 Welcome here! I think it is a strange situation for us all. Being on the frontline isn't the only way we can help at this time. Really glad to have you with us!
@peacefulTime1414- I totally understand your feelings. I am a retired ICU RN- initially felt a lot of guilt for not being part of a team during this crisis. Now it is mostly anger and frustration how health care staff are put in jeapordy with their life. It is unconsciousable - esp in the United States.
I have been a EMT for about 4 years, im not actually working on a ambulance but my license is active. I also went to a community college where i got my undergraduate certificate of Technical Studies as a Medical Assistant. i love cats, dogs, horses, fish, ferrets, hamsters. if i could travel anywhere, I would want to go back to New York.
Hey! @Medic1197 pleased to meet you, sounds like you have had a fair bit of experience out on the road! Liking that many animals means you could end up with quite a zoo some day 
Hello y'all, I'm Blue..I am a mental health clinician who works primarily with vets and lately have been volunteering my time in helping first responders of all types as well. I recently joined to become a listener to help in anyway I can because this is a difficult time for a lot of people.
Hey @Blue83 welcome! It's great to see someone with your background here, thank you for reaching out!
@RicochetJaguar Hi!! Sorry it's taken so long to get back on, been so busy with work since all this Covid mess happened. But I'm back.
Hello everyone!
I used to work at the jail in my county for the Sheriff's Office. I was a CRO then I got to work with DRT for a while. I'm currently a fraud investigator with almost three years on the financial front lines.
I get to see people in their ultimate low and I have the absolute honor of bringing them to their highest point. This takes a toll on my stress and personal life, obviously.
I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with first hand victim traumas and if they could share how they helped the victim?
Thanks guys!
@ShamPaing1776 welcome to our forum space! It sounds like you have a lot of passion for your work, which is awesome to see. It must be amazing to help others to transform their lives like that. I am not sure what you mean by first hand victim traumas? Perhaps you could add a thread here to explain a bit?
Hi. I'm chelle. I've been a dispatcher for over 4 years. I love it. And hate it. I've been to too many funerals of my people, my tribe. It seems like the ones that help the most hurt the most. I'm struggling with 2020 in general - going thru a divorce, figuring out how to do life alone, dealing with fibromyalgia and pain daily, and just recently was asked to be a supervisor at work. I haven't taken the position though. I would love to and I'm more than qualified. But I'm just not mentally and emotionally strong enough to take on any more responsibility right this second. Since leaving my ex in Feb, I've been surviving. I want to thrive again. I need help.
@Chellebabygirl
Welcome Chelle, it sounds like you have a lot going on all at the same time, that all sounds quite overwhelming! It is absolutely understandable why you wouldn't want to take on more pressure at work when you already work in highly stressful position and concurrently have so much turmoil in other parts of your life. I hope you are able to find some more stability and can thrive again soon, we are here to support you as best we can on 7cups.
I'm an army veteran and military sexual trauma survivor, 100% Service Connected for PTSD. I was a linguist in the army but I've been out for almost 2 years now. I love hammock camping when I can and backpacking. Reading is another big hobby of mine - mostly academic stuff regarding the brain such as neurology, psychology, and cognitive science, especially as it relates to linguistics as well as high fantasy novel.
@BeautifulPastimes108 Welcome to the community! Sounds like you have a lot of varied interests and experience! I am sure we are all looking forward to getting to know you better :)
@BeautifulPastimes108 Hey! Finally another vet. 😊 I feel like we might have gone through some similar situations. I hope you're doing alright today. I'm still in but I'm trying to push through it. I'm in the recovery end of PTSD. It doesn't go away but it does get a little easier with time. IGY6
I hope I'm in the right place as I'm still discovering this site of the community.
How long have you been associated with an emergency or medical profession? I have worked as a nurse, currently in clinical geriatry, for almost 5 years. I'm also part of a local firefighter brigade and used to be a caregiver to an elderly family member.
What is your favourite animal? I like all animals, but a goldfinch is special since it translates to my family name in one of the languages I speak.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Sri Lanka
Would you like to be added to a tag list for future posts? Yes please!
My name is Samuel, I was in the USMC from 2008-2011 I had military sexual trauma... my favorite animal is my puppy. If I could go anywhere in the world it would be anywhere but here (Ohio). Yes please add me to the tag list.
@SamuelisLost- welcome to the 7 cups community. Hope you are enjoying the company of your puppy. My family is back in Ohio- I moved from there decades ago. But when I return the committment to family is very noticeable- a good thing. Take care. Hope you are recovered from your trauma.
I'm a paramedic. Favorite animal is dog. Work in 911 setting. Have for 3 years. Did 5 IFT before that.
@RicochetJaguar
I'm a 21M student and I have got my stare of trauma. An year ago I attempted suicide. Since then I've been dreaming about it a many night and I end up waking. It's affecting my life. I also got sexually assaulted by a man and sometimes I get that feeling back and it sucks.
@Petrichor2000
What is your favourite animal? Eagle. It's not an animal but I love it.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Everywhere:)
Would you like to be added to a tag list for future posts? � yes