You are a hero. You bring life into this world, and you hold the hand of those who depart. That’s a tough calling. At the end of the shift when you take off your uniform, you are an ordinary citizen, but the sights and sounds from the reality of your job don’t necessarily stay at work when you leave.

If you received a deep laceration while working in vain to save a critical car accident victim, you’d likely seek care and treatment for it. While physical injuries are easy to see in most instances, emotional wounds from the job are not as obvious, but they are no less real.

If you have noticed a change in your behavior or thoughts, or if you have any other symptoms of post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), please reach out and talk to someone. DSHS has arranged for a confidential, dedicated line for first responders. Don’t wait. Call the Heroes Helpline at 1-833-367-4689 today.

We want you to know that you are not alone—we work together, and we fight together. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of your strength as a human and as a hero.