At-A-Glance Vicarious Trauma/Secondary Traumatic Stress/Contamination
Sometimes referred to as “contamination of cop,” first responders may feel anger, guilt, frustration and helplessness in the wake of responding to a suicide call. While not all first responders experience heightened stress as a result of responding to civilian suicides, it is not uncommon and deserves attention.
Vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder are relatively similar terms used to describe the process by which those in the helping profession become impacted by working in traumatic situations. These experiences are real and often lead to burnout when left untreated.
About Vicarious Trauma and Suicide
- Increased numbers of calls to suicide scenes increases the risk of developing vicarious trauma. Because suicide often leaves a helper feeling helpless, this type of violent death may be more traumatizing than others depending on the circumstances.
- Vicarious trauma occurs when those who are helpers of traumatized individuals become exposed to traumatic material (“too much, too soon, too ugly”). Suicide deaths scenes are often violent and disturbing and consoling the bereaved can be very challenging.
- Many emergency workers find that they may experience vicarious trauma symptoms when dealing with children and trauma. Tragically, many young people do inflict deliberate self harm and do die by suicide, making these scenes very difficult for first responders.
How do you know if you’re experiencing vicarious trauma?
- Asking self never ending “why” questions about right and wrong
- Reliving the intense grief/trauma of survivors
- Questioning how the world is supposed to work and feeling discouraged about the future
- Second guessing your role as a helper – “Did I do the right thing?”
- Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected entirely to the work
- Thinking about clients/patients when you didn’t intend to
- Avoidance of things that remind you to clients/patients
- Disturbing dreams about clients/patients
What to do?
- Talk with someone – Express your concern to an appropriate person, such as a line supervisor or your agency’s mental health professional or consultant.
- It is not completely your burden – help survivors mobilize their own support networks, including friends, relatives, and clergy.
- Self-Care – exercise, eat healthy, stay active, spend time with friends, read, do things that you enjoy doing. Avoid drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.
- Nicoletti, J., Spencer-Thomas, S. (2001). Contamination of Cop: Secondary traumatic stress of officer responding to civilian suicides. In D.C. Sheehan & J.I. Warren (Eds.) Suicide and Law Enforcement (pp. 337-355). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (2005). Customized Information: Law Enforcement Personnel. Retrieved Nov. 1, 2007 from this Law Enforcement Personnel PDF
