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Suicide deaths outpace line-of-duty deaths for fire, law enforcement

Beaudreaux

Beaudreaux

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I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad.

Suicide deaths outpace line-of-duty deaths for fire, law enforcement

A sobering report released last month states that firefighters and law enforcement officers are more likely to die by suicide than from a line-of-duty death.

In 2017, suicide accounted for a reported 103 firefighter deaths and 140 law enforcement deaths. During the same time, 93 firefighters and 129 law enforcement officers were lost in line-of-duty deaths.

“The Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders” looks at contributing factors to mental health issues among first responders. Some of the key findings:

> Researchers believe only 40 percent of firefighter suicides are reported, which would bring 2017 firefighter suicides closer to 250.

> Law enforcement officers witness or are subject to 188 “critical incidents” during their career on average. Examples listed include being beaten, mistakes that kill others, injured/dead child, being taken hostage, and making death notifications.

> Research also shows high numbers of other hazardous behaviors among firefighters such as binge drinking and other “self-medicating” activities.

> Out of 18,000 law enforcement agencies, only 3-5 percent have suicide prevention training programs.

May is Mental Health Month and, in light of these concerning statistics, we will touch on this topic throughout the month. Coincidentally, the National Alliance on Mental Health designated the 2018 theme as “Cure Stigma,” a relevant goal for emergency first responders.

If you need help, the national suicide prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

There are several hotlines specific to first responders; these can be found at CodeGreenCampaign.org. International numbers are listed there as well.

(Source: Ruderman Foundation)
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This fact rocked me: Out of 18,000 law enforcement agencies, only 3-5 percent have suicide prevention training programs.

Very concerning to me that we've not progressed any further in Mental Health treatment or diagnosis than we have. There are people suffering, and the first sign many of us see, is their suicide. If you have a family member that's a First Responder, please learn the signs and symptoms of Mental Health issues like PTSD and depression.

The life you save may be your loved one.
 
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Beaudreaux said:
I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad.

Suicide deaths outpace line-of-duty deaths for fire, law enforcement



Very concerning to me that we've not progressed any further in Mental Health treatment or diagnosis than we have. There are people suffering, and the first sign many of us see, is their suicide. If you have a family member that's a First Responder, please learn the signs and symptoms of Mental Health issues like PTSD and depression.

The life you may save may be your loved one.
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Yep we have a PTSD patient in the family. [Vet]

I wonder if there are lots more Vets serving as first responders than in the past?
 
Beaudreaux said:
I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad.

Suicide deaths outpace line-of-duty deaths for fire, law enforcement



This fact rocked me: Out of 18,000 law enforcement agencies, only 3-5 percent have suicide prevention training programs.

Very concerning to me that we've not progressed any further in Mental Health treatment or diagnosis than we have. There are people suffering, and the first sign many of us see, is their suicide. If you have a family member that's a First Responder, please learn the signs and symptoms of Mental Health issues like PTSD and depression.

The life you save may be your loved one.
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*sigh* So much in our society needs fixing....yet all we can do is make up more problems (like "cultural appropriation") that supposedly "NEEDS FIXED RIGHT NOW DAMMIT!" while ignoring other real problems like this. Sad.
 
WCH said:
Yep we have a PTSD patient in the family. [Vet]

I wonder if there are lots more Vets serving as first responders than in the past?
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I don't know about there being more than in the past, but I would hazard to guess if you changed that to combat vets it would be yes. Both police and fire departments recruit heavily from the military.

I think your implied point is a very good one. Stress upon stress. Many combat vets seek out police and fire/EMS jobs because it fits their need to keep the adrenalin going, while earning a living and continuing their life of service to others. I know it did for me.

I can related to a number of the bullet points in the list. I have PTSD, although not to a life changing level like many others have. I've learned to control it, for the most part, without external help. I never got close to the point of reaching the end, but I found myself wandering down that path once (only once) and was able to turn myself around almost immediately when the first thought popped into my head. I can easily see how others can go down that path and not turn back.
 
Our first responders run to the problem when the rest of us are running away.
Day in and day out they have to deal with issues that people should not have to see.

They deal with the very worst of what society is. They know that they are able to handle what ever stress they have... just ask them. Sadly some do not realize that they needed help before it's too late for them. If involved with a first responder lean about the signs that could be an early warning of problem to come.

Thanks to all who protect an serve us each and everyday!
 
Beaudreaux said:
I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad.

Suicide deaths outpace line-of-duty deaths for fire, law enforcement



This fact rocked me: Out of 18,000 law enforcement agencies, only 3-5 percent have suicide prevention training programs.

Very concerning to me that we've not progressed any further in Mental Health treatment or diagnosis than we have. There are people suffering, and the first sign many of us see, is their suicide. If you have a family member that's a First Responder, please learn the signs and symptoms of Mental Health issues like PTSD and depression.

The life you save may be your loved one.
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America is now a very ill society as you should know, the fact that you are admitting surprise here should propel you into some new discoveries.
 
Hawkeye10 said:
America is now a very ill society as you should know, the fact that you are admitting surprise here should propel you into some new discoveries.
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Do you even brother to read the first sentence in the OP? Some people........

"I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad."
 
Common Sense 1 said:
Do you even brother to read the first sentence in the OP? Some people........

"I get these EMR-ISAC's every week, and this one had some facts that are just disturbing. I knew it was bad, but had no idea it was this bad."
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Sure.
 
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