“Don’t be ashamed of needing help. You have a duty to fulfill. #SoWhat if you are injured and can’t climb up without help?”
~Marcus Aurelius
January 1, 2022. First H.E.L.P. announces the “#SoWhat” campaign theme for 2022. This theme was introduced by First HELP CEO, Dr. Jeffrey McGill as an extension to the old saying, “it’s OK to not be OK.” “This is the other side of the coin like, #IWillTalk is to #IWillListen”. In a conversation with Jeff he said, “either one without the other is a half measure that accomplishes nothing.”
First H.E.L.P. researches how trauma and stress can affect first responders. Over the years, they have observed how stoic and resilient members of the community tend to weather troubled times more effectively. First H.E.L.P. insists that agencies have support plans and training in place to promote well-being and recovery. However, they are equally committed to ensuring that responders and their families are able to fight their way through hard times if these systems fail.
Our responders and their families cannot be passive actors in their own salvation or even prevention. The #SoWhat campaign is intended to provoke conversations about ways to develop more ready and resilient responders.
#SoWhat if I recover from these dark times and emerge even stronger than I am today?
Mental well-being and in the worst cases, survival starts with a #SoWhat” attitude. So what if I need help dealing with my emotions right now? So what if my partner is concerned for me and asks if I’m OK? So what if my Captain encourages me to call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? And so what if my counselor suggests supplements, medicine, or even in-patient treatment? The campaign encourages self awareness and courage to say, I need help, so what am I going to do about it?
While introducing this campaign to the First H.E.L.P. team, Chief Learning Officer, Joe Willis who is responsible for promoting awareness of the campaign reflected back on the inspiring stoicism of the volunteers of the organization. “As I reflect back on the last five years and the work we’ve done together,” Joe says, “it’s been the hard work of widows, widowers, responders, and supporters who are willing to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward. I have seen so many of you fight through fear, guilt, despair and anything else that stood in your way to claw your way through.” It is the tenacity and strength of everyone involved in First H.E.L.P.s’ programs that inspired this theme.
So many First Responders and their families have had that painful lonely experience – where they felt li it was them against the world. Even for a brief moment, just long enough to find the strength to say, #SoWhat
Over the last five years First H.E.L.P. has been inspired by the strength of families and co-workers left behind after losing a loved one to suicide who had to say, #SoWhat as they led themselves and each other down the long road toward recovery. We’ve been humbled by the stoic fortitude of responders who shouted, #SoWhat and fought back their own demons to save lives, careers, and relationships. Their story goes on “;”. Even the organization’s corporate sponsors have said loud and clear, #SoWhat and have taken First H.E.L.P. to new heights because they were courageous enough to take on the mental health stigma.
No doubt, #SoWhat is can sound abrasive to which the organization simply responds with, so what?
During the announcement, Jeff reminded the team, “for the family left behind, in the immediate aftermath they need full support. Their agencies, their family and friends and this organization will say on their behalf, #SoWhat and help them to their feet. But eventually, like all of you, they will also say #SoWhat for themselves and trudge forward one step at a time. If they fall again, #SoWhat”, someone helps them back up and they move forward again. For the responders struggling to calm the chaos in their heads who are strong enough to say, #SoWhat, we will help them search for resources, and when they fall again – someone will help them back to their feet. And that’s OK.”
First H.E.L.P. encourages readers to find the strength and be courageous enough to #SmashTheStigma. It is families, responders, and sponsors who are willing to be the first to say, #SoWhat who set the conditions for others to follow.
Jeff went on to say, “The individual’s story is personal and unique, but the response to stress, trauma, and/or loss of a loved one is universal. Everyone gets a hug and a therapy turtle first, but then, when they get a sword and a shield.”
So for all of you standing here with us today with a turtle or sword, you are warriors and it’s an honor to serve with you.
Download and share authorized imagery
