Police, ER personnel affected by traumas

From shoot-outs on Delaware Avenue in Albany to car accidents on Route 787, Rev. James Lefebvre has seen many victims of tragedies. He also knows about the "silent victims."

In 43 years as chaplain to the Albany Police Department, the pastor of St. Mary's Church in Albany has spent much of his ministry helping those who help others in the aftermath of violence.

"I deeply admire those that work in law enforcement and emergency medicine," he said. "They are all dedicated helpers and, really, silent victims of violence themselves."

Trauma

Over the past half-century, Father Lefebvre has collected a plethora of stories involving human reactions to trauma and its aftermath.

"Any death of a family member or someone close always has a traumatic effect," he said. "On the other hand, those who respond to accidents, shootings and such see firsthand the effects of that trauma on people that are directly affected -- and it affects them, too, because they are human beings.

Emergency response persons "are trained to act very professionally. But, because they are also affected by the trauma they witness, they must be able to find a way to channel their feelings."

Perspective

James Caverly, a retired special agent for the FBI, and his wife Jeanne teach a course at Maria College in Albany for healthcare personnel, titled "Traumatic Grief." It deals with suppressed feelings. He said that it is vital for those who deal with trauma to be able to put it into perspective.

Police officers, nurses and doctors often see a lot of death and tragedy in their work, he noted; if they don't channel the feelings associated with trauma -- such as anger, grief and rage -- then they can filter into their relationships with others.

"People are generally very resilient," he said, "but it is very helpful for people if they can allow themselves to let their emotions surface and cry if they need to."

'Compassion fatigue'

The Caverlys also offer retreats for Albany diocesan deacons to help them deal with death in parishes where they minister.

"I call it 'compassion fatigue,' which is the symptomology that a person takes on when dealing with the trauma of others," Mr. Caverly said. Such symptoms can include irritability, isolation, anger and malaise.

"It is very important to be aware of your feelings when you are dealing with the trauma of others," he added. "Throughout my career, I learned how to cope by exercising, reading, traveling and talking to my wife. People can find what works for them. The key is awareness" that help is needed.

Long-term effects

Father Lefebvre said that law enforcement personnel face violence and trauma on a daily basis, which often can have long-term, traumatic effects.

"There are several phases of reaction after people encounter trauma," he noted, listing "the impact phase, where there is extreme anxiety, and, later, grief and anger."

As time passes, feelings can become vocalized to family members, friends or co-workers, followed by the "what-if response," asking questions like, "What if I had waited just one more minute?" or "What if I had reacted differently?" In that stage, a person questions his actions and can often blame himself for what has happened.

"People are not machines," the priest said. "They will be affected by another's trauma, especially if they are there to help them."

(In 1996, James Caverly was part of a team that helped after a TWA jet crashed off Long Island. The team cared for rescuers who participated in a futile search for survivors. He and his team also worked peripherally with rescue workers in New York City after 9/11.)

Faith helps heal hidden grief

Father LeFebvre said that "public expectation is that [police and emergency workers] will do their jobs because they are trained to do them.

"Often, though, they have suppressed grief and other feelings of anxiety, as well as fear of criticism by their peers if they show those feelings. These workers are hidden victims who silently suffer the after-effects of trauma. Emotional trauma is a stigma for many police officers and emergency response professionals.

"In about 99 percent of the cases I've seen, a person's faith helps them get through tragedies and trauma."

(7/28/05) [[In-content Ad]]