PTSD is often seen as a personal, individual injury, and an internal battle and torment. The impact of PTSD affects the whole person - their personality, daily activity, capacity and function. The injury itself can often result in the injured person becoming withdrawn and self-focused resulting in an inability to perceive, and an indifference to, the effect and experience of PTSD on the family unit. This indifference contributes to an inability to care for, maintain and nurture relationships within the family unit and a healthy household.

Many first responder families will have been told in the early phases of treatment of the importance of the family unit to the first responder, their wellbeing and recovery - “family members are often the first to notice changes in mood and behaviour in their loved one who may be struggling with the impacts of their service” (NSW Police Family Support Brochure). However, beyond the identification of the importance of family and loved ones in the lives of first responders and recovery effort there is limited support and relevant services offered. What limited options exist can be withdrawn once workers compensation processes have begun, can be not-fit-for-purpose, or are gatekept by the injured person and the organisation responsible for facilitating support services.

Whilst there is limited, but improving, understanding of first responders living with PTSD, there is less attention, and therefore evidence, given to those who are living alongside them. This presentation will give voice to the experiences of those living alongside PTSD and provide a unique perspective through which to view the condition, its impact and broader effect on the family unit. Our hope is that a combined recognition and effort by first responder agencies, insurance providers and government will mitigate secondary injury and generational trauma in the families and children of those living with PTSD.

PTSD is often seen as a personal, individual injury, and an internal battle and torment. The impact of PTSD affects the whole person - their personality, daily activity, capacity and function. The injury itself can often result in the injured person becoming withdrawn and self-focused resulting in an inability to perceive, and an indifference to, the effect and experience of PTSD on the family unit. This indifference contributes to an inability to care for, maintain and nurture relationships within the family unit and a healthy household.

Many first responder families will have been told in the early phases of treatment of the importance of the family unit to the first responder, their wellbeing and recovery - “family members are often the first to notice changes in mood and behaviour in their loved one who may be struggling with the impacts of their service” (NSW Police Family Support Brochure). However, beyond the identification of the importance of family and loved ones in the lives of first responders and recovery effort there is limited support and relevant services offered. What limited options exist can be withdrawn once workers compensation processes have begun, can be not-fit-for-purpose, or are gatekept by the injured person and the organisation responsible for facilitating support services.

Whilst there is limited, but improving, understanding of first responders living with PTSD, there is less attention, and therefore evidence, given to those who are living alongside them. This presentation will give voice to the experiences of those living alongside PTSD and provide a unique perspective through which to view the condition, its impact and broader effect on the family unit. Our hope is that a combined recognition and effort by first responder agencies, insurance providers and government will mitigate secondary injury and generational trauma in the families and children of those living with PTSD.