Heroes 4 Heroes

Suicide rates among first responders are only a snapshot of a larger, untracked problem within the public safety community. Suicide among previous first responders and retirees are not tracked and as high, or higher than estimates. For example, one study estimated that 100 firefighters commit suicide each year, including volunteers, yet 22 on average were reported. 

In 2022 America Lost at Least 196 Heroes to Suicide

• 160 Police Officers 
• 22 Firefighters 
• 9 Corrections Officers
• 3 EMS Personnel
• 2 Dispatchers 

Working the streets and communities of the United States causes rates of PTSD higher than military veterans in general, and as high as veterans who served in active combat in America's wars. What does that say about our society? 

• Nearly 30% of EMT's reported feeling that life was not worth living 
• Nearly 40% of Fire and EMS Personnel have contemplated suicide 
• Firefighters, EMT's and Paramedics have a 13 times higher incidence of suicide attempt than the population of citizens they serve (SAMHSA)
• Nurse suicide rates are 23% higher than the general American population (JAMA)
• Physicians also experience higher suicide rates than the general population (Petersen, Et. al)
• Over 50% of firefighter deaths are from stress and exhaustion (SAMHSA)
• 50% of police officers personally know a police officer who committed suicide 
• Substance abuse is higher in all first responder groups than the general population 

Like the military, PTSD and other mental health disorders impact our professionals and have been made to "suffer in silence".  The public safety, frontline medical, and other similar professions have made progress in providing resources and opening up to the psychological pain of their employees, both paid and volunteer. Yet, not enough progress has been made if we keep losing these heroes to suicide before they have reached out for help. 

After caring for babies mutilated by their parents, picking up the body parts of innocent civilians killed by drunk drivers, and other unimaginable sights, it's hard for first responders to trust the average counselor, psychologist, or therapist to consult them. Though all are trained to meet their profession's standards, cultural competence among mental health professionals in the treatment of the type of trauma that survivors of significant psychological trauma is essential. More of these culturally competent professionals exist and are dedicating their time to responding to the calls our heroes respond to. However, the need for these professionals is much greater than the demand. 

Our society is seeing more violence, more illness, and more calls for service. With the current overwhelming demand for resources and the future needs of our community, as many specialized and appropriate resources are needed. Every hero is a unique human being with different needs.