SUICIDE AND FIRST RESPONDERS

SOME STATISTICS

• 641 known first responder suicides
• In 2014 alone : 103
• 2015 to date : 46
• Only seven were women
• 251 (roughly) committed with guns

MORE STATISTICS

• Around 75 by hanging
• Range from stabbing to immolation
• These numbers are very incomplete
• This phenomenon is new so data is still being collected

The first known first responder suicide was committed in 1880. Between 1880 and 1999 there were 89. Since then, the number has leaped to 641.

WHAT CAUSES SUICIDE?

• Mental illness
• PTSD
• a traumatic life event
• Depression
• Stress
• Substance/alcohol abuse
• Many other risk factors

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

• Connecticut is paying for public employees' counseling after being diagnosed with PTSD caused by something traumatic witnessed on the job

The University of Utah's Neuropsychological unit staffs a crisis hotline for first responders to call for help if contemplating suicide.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?

• Peer groups for first responders
• Educational training for first responder awareness of the signs and symptoms of a person with suicidal tendencies

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?

• A behavioral health course
• Promoting better retirement approach for firemen.

FIREFIGHTER LIFE SAFETY INITIATIVE 13

• Firefighters and EMS providers (and family) must have access to counseling and other psychological support