One aspect of resilience is the ability in the midst of adversity to bounce back stronger than before, according to Michael Bizzarro, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Director of First Responder Treatment Services at Princeton House and a former police officer and military veteran. Resilience falls somewhere along a continuum for most people; having it doesn’t mean you’ll have it forever, nor does it imply that you don’t have a breaking point.
“The mind is like a garden in that you need to regularly weed out negative energy to make room for the positive,” explains Dr. Bizzarro, who serves on an Advisory Committee charged with implementing the state Attorney General’s recent mandate to provide resilience training for all law enforcement agencies in New Jersey. “In doing so, you are less likely to be defined by traumatic events, and you can see things from a healthier perspective.”
This approach can be very challenging when exposed to negativity on a regular basis. Still, research shows that mindfully focusing on the positives in life can help strengthen neural pathways in the brain to bolster resilience.
Dr. Bizzarro notes that first responders can reinforce this “positive neuroplasticity” through tactics like:
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation
- Maintaining close connections with a positive network of honest, supportive people that will hold them accountable when needed
- Spending enough quality time with family and friends doing things they enjoy
It’s also crucial for first responders to recognize when issues build up and be willing to take a step back and address them, according to Ken Burkert, Peer Support Specialist for First Responder Treatment Services and a retired corrections officer. Otherwise, the consequences often include depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
“You can’t fix a problem until you create awareness that it exists and are willing to shift your mindset,” says Burkert. “We plant that seed of insight into all of our treatment and outreach programs.”
For more information on First Responder Treatment Services, visit princetonhouse.org/firstresponder or call 609.497.3355.
Article as seen in the Summer 2019 issue of Princeton House Behavioral Health Today.
