Each year, an estimated 300 physicians die by suicide in the U.S. alone. Although the study of suicide among other healthcare providers appears to be inadequately studied in the United States, there does appear to be a higher risk for these professionals compared to the general public. What about first responders who are exposed to high levels of traumatic stress?
According to a commissioned “white paper” (a government or other authoritative report), “across the United States.”
In 2017, 103 firefighters and/or emergency medical service (EMS) professionals died by suicide.
In 2016, 139 firefighters and/or emergency medical service (EMS) professionals died by suicide.
In 2015, 143 firefighters and/or emergency medical service (EMS) professionals died by suicide.
The accuracy of this report appears to be in question since the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance “estimates that approximately 40 percent of firefighter suicide[s] are reported.” If this is correct, this means that the “actual number of 2017 suicides would be approximately equal to 257. This is more than twice the number of firefighters who died in the line of duty.”
Similarly, the incidence of suicide rates among police officers is also concerning since, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Blue H.E.L.P:
As of August 1, 2019, 114 police officers died by suicide.
In 2018, 167 police officers died by suicide.
In 2017, 169 police officers died by suicide.
In 2016, 142 police officers died by suicide.
In 2015, 160 police officers died by suicide.
“As in the case with firefighters, in 2017, police officers were more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.” Thus, it appears that high exposure to traumatic stress can be a heavy burden on the professional’s physical and mental wellbeing. It is important to keep in mind that suicide does not only affect the person who died by suicide; suicide devastates the lives of families, friends, co-workers, and communities as well.
If You Are Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts, You Are Not Alone. Talk to a Mental Health Professional. Call the National Suicide Hotline Number at: 1 (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Despite the increased risk to our mental and emotional health, schools and training academies for those in the helping professions (e.g., healthcare, mental health, and first responders) place minimal focus on psychological and emotional preparation.
Ironically, in 1999, Robert E. Douglas, with the National Police Suicide Foundation, expressed disapproval when he stated, “If a 747 airliner with approximately 300 passengers on board crashed each year, the Federal Aviation Administration would ground 747s until the problem was discovered and corrected.... [Yet] we lose 300 police officers every year to suicide and we think that is just the cost of doing business” (as stated in Gilmartin, 2018, p. 14).
It’s time to support those that risk their lives [and health] to keep us healthy and safe.
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