Need to Call for a May Day?

Let’s Make it All Month – May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Let’s start with a quick conversation about firefighter mental health https://binged.it/3S6ApG3

It used to be rare that we’d respond to a call involving someone with a mental illness. But with 1 out of 5 U.S. adults experiencing mental illness each year, it’s becoming more and more common. Many of these calls — active-shooter incidents, domestic violence, people under the influence of powerful drugs, people in emotional crisis threatening themselves or others — have the potential to turn violent, forcing us to stage away until law enforcement arrives.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — it’s a good time to focus on the increase in mental health-related issues, not only in the communities we serve, but within our fire service family. A recent study found that more firefighters and police officers dying by suicide than line-of-duty deaths.

And the actual number of first responder suicides is likely much higher; the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance estimates that only 40 percent of firefighter suicides are reported. The study also found first responder are five times more likely than civilians to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

As first responders, we face a lot of stress, and it can take a mental toll. While suicide is the most devastating outcome of mental illness, there are a host of other, more common effects that many of our brothers and sisters live with every day. They include:

• Anger, anxiety, aggressiveness
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Erratic or impulsive behavior
• Substance abuse (including prescription drugs)

Why do firefighters experience these effects at higher rates than other professions? There’s no easy answer because we’re all different. A firefighter might respond to calls for 25 years without having lasting emotional issues. Another firefighter might be permanently affected by a single horrible call, perhaps a multi-fatality house fire or car wreck involving children. Still others can’t point to a single incident, instead suffering from a build-up effect of countless calls in which they feel unable to help — but compelled to try. Many studies also indicate shift work is a contributing factor, upsetting our bodies’ natural rhythms in ways that have lasting physical and psychological effects.

While mental strain has always been part of a fire service career, some people believe certain factors are exacerbating the problem now. In some communities, budget cuts have led to sharp increases in call volumes. Nearly every department responds to far more medical calls than it used to. Since 9/11, too, many firefighters have seen military action prior to their firefighting careers. And sadly, in some firehouses we are spending less time talking and processing traumatic calls in a safe and supportive environment — and more time isolated, interacting with devices rather than with one another.

Unfortunately, mental health issues can strike anyone at any time. So it’s important for each of us to make sure we not only take care of our physical health, but our mental health as well. We also need to look out for warning signs in our coworkers, family and friends. Untreated, these signs can lead to mental health crises or even suicide.

There is no quick fix in solving this growing problem once it is diagnosed, and getting to the diagnosis is even tougher. Many shy away from asking for help as we cling to the belief that mental health issues are more a sign of weakness in character than an illness of body.

But we can start by building awareness and opening up a dialogue. This is a good time to share the links below and start the conversation in your department. When it comes to the mental health of our firefighter brothers and sisters, we can’t afford to “stand by” and wait.

Shedding Light on Firefighter PTSD
3 Tactics for Combating Firefighter PTSD
Firefighter Mental Health — It’s YOUR Responsibility

Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He is Director at Large with the California State Firefighters Association, Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com