First Responders and Hurricane Ian

Our first responders and medical workers were out on the frontlines before, during, and after Hurricane Ian roared ashore. “If you think about first responders do, they’re already seeing a lot of trauma,” said Lee Health Clinical Psychologist RoseAnne Illes. “They’re already seeing a lot of negative heavy events. This is just another layer on top of it, which makes it worse.” Illes said being immersed in a natural disaster can take a toll on mental health. “Since we were all in it together, and we’re hearing it, like if you stayed, and you worked it, now you hearing it, and you’re trying to help people, it can get very, very intense, and you can get sad, and you can get angry, and you can get irritable.” It’s important for these workers to check in with themselves and see how they’re feeling. “Because often times, it’s not just the work, it’s usually some of their stuff too, so it could be triggering some stuff in their own life,” said Illes. It’s also important for them to be able separate their work life and personal life. “I’m out there, I’m seeing out the destruction, the hurt, the pain, before I actually walk into the door of my house, stop and try to reset, take a break. Do something very specific, like a little bit of a ritual, and separate. OK that’s there, now I can leave that and go into my safe place,” said Illes. Illes said they also need time for self-care. “What makes you feel good? Eating right, sleeping right, some exercise, even if it’s not physical. Whatever brings you some joy. What hobbies bring you some joy? What helps you calm?” If they’re struggling to do that or their functioning is affected, it’s best to speak with a licensed mental health professional, because they can only help others if they’re feeling good themselves. View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/ Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit LeeHealth.org