Support for first responders

If you were involved in responding to a terrorist incident as part of your role, you may have experienced distressing or traumatic situations.

Even when trained to deal with emergencies, these experiences can still have an impact. You might have a response that happens immediately or develops over time. It’s completely normal to be affected by events like this, and you do not need to try to cope with it alone.

As a first responder, you can access the Support Hub for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism yourself. We provide direct support and can connect you to other specialist services where needed.

Looking after yourself

After an incident, you might notice changes in how you feel, think or respond. This is a natural reaction to a stressful situation.

You might find it helpful to:

• talk to a colleague, supervisor or someone you trust about your experience
• take time to rest and recover, especially after intense periods of work
• keep to routines where possible
• use simple grounding or breathing techniques if you feel overwhelmed.

If things feel difficult or are not improving, it is important to seek support.

Support through your work

Many organisations have support in place for staff following traumatic incidents.

This may include:

• occupational health services
• employee assistance programmes (EAPs)
• structured debriefs or reflective sessions
• ongoing supervision or peer support.

If you are unsure what is available, your line manager or HR team can help.

Support outside of work

Some people prefer to access support outside of their workplace.

You can:

• contact your GP
• self-refer to NHS psychological therapy services in your local area
• access information about coping after a traumatic event through NHS resources
• access independent helplines or support organisations.