Air rescue in Greifswald: This is how rescuers fight against mental scars!

Air rescue in Greifswald: This is how rescuers fight against mental scars!

In the tranquil coastal town of Greifswald there are not only fantastic beaches, but also complex stories of rescue workers who push their limits every day. The helicopter pilot Ehling illustrates this with impressive photos of his location: on the beach, in a meadow and on the cliffs. These images not only symbolize “pilot romance,” but are also a kind of coping mechanism. In an article in Die Zeit, it becomes clear that such images are necessary to process the often stressful memories of operations, such as the tragic experiences with drowned swimmers or seriously injured drivers.

One mission in which Ehling and his team were the first to arrive at the scene, where two teenagers took their own lives, was particularly stressful. To deal with these experiences, Ehling often retreats to the Baltic Sea, looks at the sea and calls his parents on the phone. Above all, it is the quiet sounds of soul and blues that bring him peace and quiet after a loud day at work. After quieter shifts, louder rock sounds can sometimes occur. These methods are part of personal coping, but scientists are also working intensively on solutions.

Scientific approaches to trauma management

A current study by Prof. Dr. Saskia Eschenbacher from Akkon University shows how important follow-up discussions are for rescue workers. In her article “Getting it off your soul: transformative conversations for processing traumatic experiences” the importance of emotional reflections within mission debriefings is emphasized. These “transformative conversations” not only help emergency responders to cognitively process traumatic experiences, but also offer the opportunity to reduce emotional stress. According to Akkon Hochschule, the aim of these research approaches is to better understand the stresses in emergency services and to be able to convert them into valuable learning opportunities.

The study recommends that emergency and rescue organizations should create support structures and actively ask employees about their needs. The topic of mental health is becoming increasingly important, especially in jobs that are characterized by high levels of stress.

Mental health in emergency services

A growing problem is also reflected in the numbers: According to the Deutsche Depressionshilfe, one in five Germans will suffer from depression at some point in their life, which is particularly important for employees in the emergency services. These people are often exposed to increased risk due to high psychophysiological stress factors. Additionally, suicide rates for men are three times higher than for women, highlighting the taboo surrounding mental illness.

The RUPERT initiative aims to raise awareness of mental health in emergency services. An anonymous online offer is intended to encourage affected employees to talk about their stresses and seek support. The platform, which can be found on the website www.rupert-community.de, offers information and the opportunity for anonymous exchange with peers. The aim is to help those affected to take responsibility for their health.

The initial results of the RUPERT study show that early interventions and better awareness of psychological stress are crucial to promote the quality of life and health of emergency workers. The implementation of such support offers could therefore represent an important step for the well-being of those people who are often in the shadows of their operations.