SUICIDE IS A REALITY IN THE FIRE SERVICE

SUICIDE IN FIRE SERVICE

A common miss-understanding is that PTSD only occurs in the military.  Per article, PTSD occurs in first responders in addition.  Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officer, EMS, and even some staff at ICU hospitals.  The statement "JUST DEAL WITH IT" , "PART OF DOING BUSINESS", "IF YOU CANNOT HANDLE THE JOB IS NOT FOR YOU" statements do not work to get over traumatic events such as seeing death, getting injured, or seeing a brothern die on the line.  Eventually it will setup service members to fail emotionally.

In many departments the notion of talking about your feelings is ill advised.  Seeking treatment can be career ending for many of these individuals.  Unacceptable, this must change!  

Excerpt from article:

There is a lot of resistance for firefighters seeking psychological counseling, which makes the situation even more problematic. Although stigma related to seeking mental health care has somewhat subsided in our larger society, it still remains a significant barrier within the fire service. There remains the mindset that one’s career will be negatively impacted if it is known that a firefighter has sought behavioral health therapy or has used the department’s employee assistance program (EAP). It is unfortunate, but seeking treatment can be seen as a sign of weakness--perhaps one of the primary reasons discussion of mental health issues or suicide may be avoided.

LINK TO ARTICLE:

http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2015/12/fire-service-suicide.html