Fear & Shame
If I was physically injured saving someone from a fire everyone would see me as a hero. What if I was mentally injured saving someone? Would everyone still see me as a hero? Would you have any hesitation reporting a mental injury over a physical injury? I think many of us would.
Why is that? It’s because of fear, shame and embarrassment. The sad part is that if some of us do report a mental injury we are blackballed, looked upon as weak and are victims of the negative stigma. This is preventing many of us from getting the help we need which makes the mental injury even worse.
The idea for this image was given to me by Matt McGregor, a firefighter from Western Canada and it’s a concept many of us can relate to. The fear, shame, embarrassment and negative stigma is this demon’s power and it’s preventing many first responders from getting the help they need. Deny this demon his power by standing up to the negative stigma.
Have a safe weekend everyone and please know you are part of a larger supportive community.
Respectfully
DanSun
Posted with permission of DanSun photos.
Let’s take a walk 