Families' experiences of supporting Australian veterans and emergency service first responders (ESFRs) to seek help for mental health problems.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this phenomenological study was to describe families' experiences of supporting veterans and emergency service first responders (ESFRs) (known also as public safety personnel) to seek help for a mental health problem. In-depth semi-structured open-ended interviews were undertaken with 25 family members of Australian veterans and ESFRs. Fourteen participants were family members of police officers. Data were analysed thematically. Participants described a long and difficult journey of supporting the person's help-seeking across six themes. Traumatic exposures, bullying in the workplace and lack of organisational support experienced by veterans/ESFRs caused significant family distress. Families played a vital role in help-seeking but were largely ignored by veteran/ESFR organ

SUBMITTER: Lawn S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10084143 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature