HOUSTON – On Tuesday, KPRC 2 covered three Houston firefighters who suffered significant injuries responding to a massive apartment fire in the Sunnyside area.
The physical injuries those firefighters are dealing with can take months, if not years, to recover from, but the mental and emotional toll they’ll endure often goes unseen.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota sat down with Chau Nguyen, a Houston-based trauma therapist who explained some of the mental hardships that people may face after sustaining these severe injuries.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: Thanks so much for joining us. You’ve got experience with first responders. What are some of the immediate mental health challenges that they may face?
Chau Nguyen: This is an emotionally distressing event. So, of course these firefighters are going to experience emotional distress, and that looks like nightmares, flashbacks, depression, anxiety. Some of the first responders, the clients who I see, often suffer from this in silence. It takes time, and it takes an emotional toll, not only on themselves but also on their workplace and families.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: Suffering in silence can be so troubling. So how important is early intervention, and what does that look like?
Chau Nguyen: I think with the fire department—and I know the Houston Fire Department has some safeguards in place—mental health counselors being available, an employee assistance program, maybe for other fire departments. The other thing that’s really important is to inform firefighters that taking care of themselves, seeing the signs of emotional distress, and telling someone and seeking support are so important. I’m also encouraged to see that the fire department is implementing mental health education and awareness as part of their cadet training.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: The educational and awareness is so critical. What’s the best way to deal with all of these emotions from a family’s perspective?
Chau Nguyen: If you are a loved one of a firefighter, just know that you are there for support—to listen, to respond effectively, to let them know that there is help available. Seeking mental health counseling and the right treatment they may need or going to a peer support group. Firefighters don’t just respond to fires like we just saw. That is obviously a terribly traumatic event. But day in and day out, they are responding to traumatic events like drownings, heart attacks, accident scenes, and crime scenes. Firefighters are tasked with doing a lot and seeing some of the worst things every day.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: These three firefighters had to be pulled out by their colleagues. That’s the other side to all of this. What are the mental health impacts on those firefighters?
Chau Nguyen: The job of a firefighter takes its toll on everybody, especially their colleagues. Hopefully, they are seeking support, talking to their peers, taking advantage of their employee assistance program, and talking to a mental health clinician. It’s important to make sure they are taking care of themselves first.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: That support from family and colleagues is everything as firefighters go through their recovery process. If someone wants to support their friends or family but doesn’t know how to approach the conversation, what’s the best way to do that?
Chau Nguyen: The first thing you do is listen with empathy. Hold space for someone who might be suffering from an emotionally taxing event. Let them know that you’re here to listen and that there are resources available. There are plenty of resources to seek support, especially for emotionally distressing events.
KPRC 2’s Andy Cerota: Having that support is so critical on their journey to recovery, which could take months if not longer.
Chau Nguyen: Hopefully, those firefighters get the help they need.
