Undoing the Damage of the Compartmentalization Culture
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Written by Shannon Polito, Founder of Help for the Headset
Were you taught that to do your job, you shouldn’t feel anything during or after whatever you experience? Is the idea that in order to be considered a good dispatcher, you must continue to remain unaffected for your entire career pervasive in your agency? Do you feel like you can’t ask anyone for help and risk being considered weak?
Do you feel any of these things?
Exhausted in every way
A pit in your stomach from the moment you get to work until you leave
Tightness in your chest
Unexplained body pain that inhibits your ability to live your life
A lack of connection to others
An inability to feel truly happy even doing something that used to bring you joy
An inability to feel much of anything at all
Chances are good you are experiencing stress and/or trauma injuries related to chronic compartmentalization. Compartmentalization in dispatchers, although a coping strategy, comes with potential dangers that extend beyond emotional well-being to encompass physical health issues. The practice may lead to emotional detachment, delayed emotional reactions, and interpersonal relationship challenges. Moreover, the risk of avoidance and denial associated with compartmentalization can contribute to both mental health problems and physical health issues over time. Neglecting emotional and physical needs may exacerbate stress, leading to burnout and impacting overall well-being. The good news is there is help and hope! Learning healthy ways to feel, express and process emotion as well as fostering open communication about mental and physical health are crucial for mitigating these risks.
Join me to dive into this topic on December 5, 2023 at 10:30 am during the Dare to be Great virtual conference, to share your thoughts and experiences, and connect on ways to be the best dispatchers we can be, by working towards being the healthiest, most resilient people we can be.
Shannon Polito
Help for the Headset