First Responder Behavioral Health

First responders witness many critical incidents throughout their careers, and the repeated exposure to these traumatic events can take its toll. Rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression for firefighters and police officers has been found to be as much as five times greater than the general population, according to a Ruderman Family Foundation white paper. First responders are also more likely to die by suicide than they are to die in the line of duty, and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance estimates that only about 40 percent of firefighter suicides are reported.

All first responders need to be aware of the health risks their jobs present, and they need to know when they need help and how to get it. Organizational leaders and coworkers also need to establish work environments that provide adequate training, protect from overwork and support public safety personnel seeking help when they need it.

Some conditions first responders should look out for in themselves and their coworkers:

• Depression: Mental health disorder characterized by persistent depressed moods or loss of interest in activities. This affects how you feel, think and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating or working.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or symptoms: Disorder where you have ongoing feelings of stress or fear, even when not in danger. Symptoms that last more than a month and interfere with relationships or work may be considered PTSD.
• Suicide ideation: Thinking about, considering or planning suicide.
• Substance use disorder (drug addiction): Disorder affecting a person's mind and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. The continued use of these substances changes normal behaviors and interferes with your ability to work or have good relationships with friends and family. Note: Substance use disorder does not require that a person be physically or psychologically dependent on a substance.

First Responders Living With Personal Tragedy

On a cold night in November 2018, volunteer firefighter Paul Wines arrived at the scene of a possible hit and run that left two men lying on the road. His experience working with the Walton Community Fire Department in Cass County trained him well to expect the unexpected on injury calls.

As he leaned in to begin treating the patient, a familiar face peered back at him. Wines found himself struggling to save his own son. Unfortunately, his injuries were too severe. His son died there in the roadway — beginning a time of turmoil and despair for Wines, who would go on to question every decision he made that night.

"For years, I worried about my son's safety when he started driving," Wines said. "When I heard the tones of a call, I always thought, 'Where is he and is he safe?,' but that slowly went away because I knew he was a safe driver. So, those thoughts weren't on my mind when that call came in. I never thought it could have been my son."

After the funeral was held and the final condolences trickled in, his family fought hard to get back to some sense of normalcy. All the while, Wines struggled with questions about what he should have or could have done better, faster. The experience began to weigh heavily on his mental health. First responders see tragedy every day, but responding to his own son's fatal accident led Wines to consider suicide to escape the pain. Read the full story