In the challenging world of first response, where daily exposure to trauma and adversity is the norm, it’s surprisingly easy to fall into what psychologists call the “created victim bandwagon.” This mindset—where we begin to see ourselves as powerless victims of circumstance rather than capable agents of change—can silently develop over years of service, undermining both your effectiveness on the job and your personal wellbeing.
After years of witnessing human suffering, dealing with bureaucratic frustrations, facing public criticism, and experiencing trauma, many first responders find themselves unconsciously adopting a victim narrative:
These thoughts aren’t entirely unfounded—there are genuine challenges and injustices in first responder work. But when these perspectives become your dominant lens for viewing the world, they create a self-reinforcing cycle that leads to helplessness, cynicism, and burnout.
Several factors make police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders particularly susceptible to falling into the victim mentality:
You regularly witness true victimhood in its rawest forms. Over time, this exposure can normalize victimhood as a response to adversity.
Many first responders face legitimate systemic issues: inadequate resources, political pressures, and bureaucratic obstacles that genuinely limit their effectiveness.
Few professions face the level of public criticism and second-guessing that first responders endure. This constant judgment can foster defensive thinking patterns.
Despite bearing enormous responsibility, first responders often have limited control over outcomes, creating a perfect breeding ground for learned helplessness.
Recognizing when you’ve boarded the victim bandwagon is the first step toward jumping off. Watch for these signs:
If these patterns sound familiar, it may be time for a mindset reset. The good news? You already possess the resilience and strength to make this shift—they’re the same qualities that drew you to first response work in the first place.
Events happen. Your interpretation of those events is where you have control.
Practice exercise: When faced with a challenging situation, write down the objective facts first. Then separately note your interpretations and emotional responses. This creates space between what happened and how you’re choosing to view it.
Focus on your sphere of influence—the things you can control, however small.
Action step: Identify one aspect of your work environment you can influence positively this week. Perhaps it’s mentoring a rookie, improving a personal procedure, or simply bringing a positive attitude to roll call.
Just as you’ve learned tactical breathing for high-stress situations, develop tactical empowerment—intentional thoughts and actions that shift you from passive to active stance.
Try this: When you catch yourself in victim thinking, ask: “What would the empowered version of me do in this situation?” Then take one small step in that direction.
The people around you significantly influence your mindset. Connect with colleagues who maintain a sense of purpose and agency despite challenges.
Our peer support groups can provide a positive environment where solution-focused thinking is the norm, not the exception.
The stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. Question the narratives you’ve developed about your department, the public, or your impact.
Reflection question: “Is this belief helping me be more effective and fulfilled, or is it limiting me?“
Many first responders join the profession with a clear sense of purpose that gets clouded over time. Reconnecting with your “why” can be transformative.
Consider attending one of our mastering resilience toolkit workshops, where we help first responders rediscover and strengthen their sense of purpose.
For many first responders, faith provides an essential framework for making sense of suffering and maintaining hope amid darkness. Spiritual practices can offer perspective and resilience when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Our spiritual guidance services can help you explore how your faith tradition might offer resources for overcoming victim mentality and finding meaning in difficulty.
“After 12 years on patrol, I was the definition of cynical. Everything was someone else’s fault—administration, politicians, society. A fellow officer recommended Badge145’s resilience program, and it showed me how much mental energy I was wasting on things I couldn’t control. Now I focus on being the best officer I can be within my sphere of influence. My job satisfaction is higher than it’s been in years.”
“I started believing nothing I did mattered because patients would just end up back in the system. Working with Badge145 helped me see that while I can’t fix everything, each compassionate interaction has value. That shift in perspective saved my career—and possibly my life.”
Breaking free from the victim bandwagon doesn’t mean denying real challenges or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it means:
We recommend developing a written plan for shifting from victim to victor mentality:
For assistance creating your personalized plan, contact us for individual counseling or attend one of our specialized workshops.
If you’re in leadership, consider how your department might be inadvertently fostering victim mentality. Organizational changes that can help include:
For more information on implementing these approaches in your department, visit our resources page.
Breaking free from the victim bandwagon isn’t a one-time event but a daily choice to:
Remember that the same strength that allows you to run toward danger while others run away can empower you to overcome the victim mentality. At Badge145, we’re committed to supporting you in that journey.
If you’re struggling with feelings of helplessness or victimhood, reach out to us. Our confidential counseling services are specifically designed for the unique challenges faced by first responders.
You serve others every day. Allow us to serve you.