On First Responders and Their Mental Health

"First responders see a lot and the public wonders how they deal with it all. The reality is that first responders don't always deal with what they've seen in a healthy manner and many have traumatic stress issues that they try to keep quiet.

"Oftentimes the stress manifests itself at home, affecting family relationships. The divorce rate for law enforcement personnel is around 75 percent. More than 80 percent of firefighters experience symptoms of mental health issues. Almost 25 percent of dispatchers have symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"Much of the time, first responders feel they can't reveal their feelings to co-workers or management for fear that they might be considered weak or lose out on a promotion. Often, there is a code of silence about such issues at work and the fear of reprisal."

A recent article in Emergency Management reported on efforts being made by first responders to address their mental health.

To access the Emergency Management complete report, please visit:

Emergency Management: First Responders Are Beginning to Address Their Own Health (October 2018)

Related document:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma (May 29018)

Media report:

EMS1: Study reveals roadblocks to mental health counseling in first responders (10 JAN 19)