Self Compassion Key To Working Through Trauma

First responders - paramedics, police officers, firefighters, rescue workers and military veterans - are repeatedly part of critical incidents in their day-to-day worlds.

The trauma specialist team from St John of God in Richmond, NSW (SJOG) has developed an approach to care that is giving frontline workers a chance at life again.

Aaron Brock, from Lismore, served in the NSW Police for 17 years and sought help for his complex PTSD “way to late”.

He was drinking heavily and had gained a lot of weight when his psychiatrist referred him to a private clinic for treatment on the Gold Coast.

“I was put into the drug and alcohol program and found myself alongside the same kinds of people I would deal with when I was working as a police officer,” Brock said.

‘It really wasn’t the right program for me but I stuck it out until the end.

“When I got home I soon realised it hadn’t worked.

“My marriage was failing and I was struggling.”

Brock’s psychiatrist eventually referred him to the SJOG Xavier program at Richmond, which involved living at the facility for the first six weeks.

From there he progressed to the STAIR residential program, a prerequisite for the trauma program.

He got sober, trained in the gym and at the pool, dropped 10 kgs and returned home feeling better and more equipped to deal with his persistent trauma, for which he knows there is no overnight solution.

“The STAIR program helps to prepare you for the Trauma Recovery Program (TRP) which is very confrontint,” Brock said.

“Everything that is going to happen is disclosed to you, so you know it’s going to be hard work and the staff are incredibly supportive, but the first four weeks were hell.

“It’s gloves off, it’s a fight, and a scary process to go through.

“You are reliving your trauma every day.

“Once you open Pandora’s box to let your major trauma out, then all the other traumas come out to play as well.”

Brock said having the support of staff who knew him from his first stay at SJOG was vital to his recovery.

He also formed a close bond with his fellow patients and now regularly keeps in contact with them as they support each other.

• Topics:

• Health & Wellness
• First Responders
• Emergency Services