Silence Isn't the Answer

Friday, 06/27/2025 Filed in: First Responder Support | Emotional Wellness | Mental Health | Resilience | Therapy Insights

First responders are trained for emergencies, but not for the emotional weight they carry after the calls. Matt shares why breaking the silence around mental health is essential and how Tactical Counseling supports resilience before burnout takes hold.

There wasn’t one call. There wasn’t one shift. But there was a moment. A moment when the weight of silence became impossible to ignore.
I was well into my career when it hit me: I had trained for all kinds of emergencies, but I hadn't trained for the tough conversations. Conversations about grief, fear, or the nightmares that creep in as I lay my head down after a busy day. And we don’t prepare each other for what happens after the sirens fade and the silence grows.

What We Don’t Say, Stays

I’ve seen too many first responders suffer in isolation. The suck-it-up-buttercup and tough-it-out culture we inherited claims silence as strength. But over time, silence can become deafening. It eroded my resilience, trust, and sense of purpose. Left unchecked, it led me down a path of burnout and compassion fatigue that nearly ended in tragedy.

Turning Trauma into Resilience

That’s why I began mental health training. It started out as a Mental Health First Aid class and ended in a master's degree in mental health counseling. Mental health awareness is not about recognizing trauma; it’s about transforming it. In every wellness workshop I lead, we create space for vulnerability and connection. We teach practical tools for grounding, stress management, and peer support. I challenge the stigma that says strength means silence. And we talk about how to ask the hard questions.

Let’s Build a Different Culture

In your agency, remind yourself and your crew that you shouldn’t have to carry the weight of stress alone. Whether you’re processing a tough call, feeling the slow drip of burnout, or just needing a space to breathe, find ways to connect. And create ways for others to connect with you. Connection is key! Seek out peer support resources and find a culturally competent counselor.

Strategize Your Success

Tactical Counseling offers culturally competent mental health care, designed for those who serve others every day. We also offer mental health training, program development, and workplace wellness programs tailored to your agency's needs. If you're hosting a conference or symposium, we'd love to help. Let’s build a responder culture where mental health is part of readiness, not a sign of weakness, where resilience is practiced, not just preached, and where no one has to suffer in silence. We are human first, and responders second.