Jumpline magazine April 2024 - Flipbook - Page 16
16
Gabe Nemeth
BrotHERhood
BrotHERhood
Never Walk Alone
instagram.com/neverwalkaloneptsdawareness
neverwalkalonemiami.com
On February 24, 2024, MDFR personnel alongside fellow
昀椀re昀椀ghters, law enforcement of昀椀cers, military personnel, dispatchers, family and friends from around the state participated in the inaugural “Never Walk Alone” 5K at Amelia Earhart
Park with the goal to continue bringing PTSD awareness out
from the shadows. Never Walk Alone (NWA) brought together
over 1,000 participants for a day of remembering those we
have already lost to suicide and to hopefully, prevent the loss
of others in the future. Following the 5K, everyone gathered
to enjoy food and drinks courtesy of the Fire昀椀ghter Benevolent Associations of both Miami-Dade County and the City of
Miami. Some of the resources that have become available to
deal with this undiagnosed risk were made available for all to
review.
“The most recognized manner of preventing suicide is
through positive social support from family, friends, and coworkers. A good support network is the most powerful protection against PTSD, stress, and suicide. Meaningful social
connection is when one is able to share thoughts and feelings
without fear of judgment and is a two-way street that requires
trust, empathy, and vulnerability.”
“Those suffering from deep seated pain that can lead to suicide shouldn’t be expected to face their journey alone, they
need support from others.”
988lifeline.org
“Saving lives can be rewarding and exciting, but the emotional burden of working as a 昀椀re昀椀ghter can also become
overwhelming. It’s true that it takes a certain amount of toughness to stomach the heartbreaking work that 昀椀re昀椀ghters and
paramedics do, but over time, the weight of witnessing tragedy can become too much to bear.”
“Suicide is the end result of serious internal struggles for
an individual who is unable to connect with the social support
necessary to help with the underlying con昀氀ict. Help us break
that cycle.”
facebook.com/NWAPTSD
“An incident experience can be left unrecognized and untreated by the 昀椀re昀椀ghters that live through it. This signi昀椀cant
emotional event could become a negative issue with lasting
consequences, eventually leading to post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD).”
“One thing the 昀椀re昀椀ghter culture has not taught us is how to
share things we cannot handle. Let us 昀椀ght the stigma in the
昀椀re service of weakness associated with mental health.”
April 2024 | JUMPLINE Magazine