The Hidden Cost of Protecting Others

Why PTSD Awareness Day matters for Ireland’s emergency services

They see what most people never will – and carry what most people never could.

Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, emergency service personnel face trauma as part of the job. Not once or twice – but repeatedly, over years.

And while the public sees the response in the moment, what often goes unseen is the impact that follows.

PTSD Awareness Day (27 June) is a chance to bring that hidden reality into focus.

When trauma isn’t an exception – it’s routine

In most professions, trauma is rare.
In emergency services, it’s expected.

Nearly 80% of first responders experience traumatic events at work
PTSD rates are 2-4 times higher than in the general population
As many as 1 in 3 may develop PTSD during their career

This isn’t about one difficult call. It’s about cumulative exposure – the steady build-up of experiences that aren’t always processed but are never truly forgotten.

A high-trauma reality – closer to home

Ireland itself is not untouched by trauma:

82% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event
Around 1 in 8 people are living with PTSD or Complex PTSD

For those on the frontline, that baseline risk is significantly amplified.

And yet, many still don’t access support – often due to stigma, or concern about how it might impact their role or career

Psychological risk is operational risk.

The part organisations can’t afford to ignore

Unaddressed trauma doesn’t stay hidden – it shows up in ways that affect individuals, teams, and performance.

Fatigue, burnout and absenteeism
Reduced decision-making under pressure
Higher attrition and loss of experience

In high-risk environments, these are not just wellbeing issues – they are operational challenges.

Moving beyond “after the event”

Providing support after a critical incident is vital – but on its own, it’s not enough.

The organisations leading the way are those taking a proactive and reactive approach:

Proactive: early identification, psychological surveillance, resilience building
Reactive: immediate incident response, trauma-focused counselling, ongoing care

Research consistently shows that integrated, trauma-informed approaches deliver the strongest outcomes – combining clinical support with early intervention and cultural change

Supporting those who support others

There is a growing shift across the Island of Ireland.

Mental health in emergency services is no longer viewed as a “nice to have” – but as mission-critical.

Because the question is no longer if trauma will occur.

It’s how well organisations are prepared to respond to it.

How Lena supports the sector

At Lena, we work with organisations operating in high-pressure, high-risk environments to deliver specialist, trauma-informed support.

With 65+ years of mental health expertise, and an island-wide network of clinical therapists, wellbeing consultants and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) specialists, we understand both the human and operational realities of emergency services.

Our support includes: