The increasing use of violence in today’s society places exposes first responders such as military, police, firefighters, ambulance and rescue services and others to witness extreme human rights violations, atrocities and other crimes on a regular basis. Often perceived as heroes, and with expectations from society, and themselves, of fulfilling their duties, existing mental health support services are often not appropriate to fulfil their needs, and under-used by fear of stigma. Through its work with soldiers and veterans in Ukraine, the FGIP seeks to develop a replicable model of comprehensive trauma care for first responders, military and their families:
Veteran care is today widely researched in countries with an important veteran communities, such as the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. However, the traumatic experiences who lead to metal injuries are (nearly) always a result of deploiment abroad, and not a result of direct conflict and war in the home country. To date, no comprehensive knowledge exist on how to integrate mental injuries into the rehabilitation processes when rehabilitation takes place in a war affected country. In the military and frontline work context, it is vital to take into account the specific needs of those directly impacted by the current conflict. For example, interventions for soldiers and their support network, including paramedics and first responders stationed at the front for extended periods, as well as the mental health tools necessary for their care, differ from those designed for soldiers and first responders who are on frequent rotations, benefit from time off between deployments or are retired In the first case, opportunities for self-care are more limited and shaped by the demands and circumstances of active duty. But even when physically removed from combat, those soldiers and paramedics on frequent rotations, of following the end of their services, may still be affected by the situation on the frontlines.
