Firefighter suicide is a subject that shakes us all to the core. As of today, 111 firefighters have taken their lives by their own hand while 86 have died in the line of duty! Tonight, as I read these numbers, I am mad. Mad because it does not have to happen. Mad because we are not doing enough to prevent it. Mad as it continues to spiral out of control until we do something about it. We cannot wait for others to do it for us. We must prepare ourselves, train ourselves, and put programs in place to intervene in the lives of our brothers and sisters BEFORE they get to the point of no return. We cannot continue to place emphasis on critical incidents without programs to help our firefighters/EMS personnel with the problems that bring them to the decision to end their lives. Certainly, counseling for the effects of critical incident response will continue to be a priority but family and relationship issues, alcohol and substance abuse, grief, anger, depression, PTSD, financial burdens and other events more often are the reasons we hear from those contemplating suicide.
So, what can we do? First, watch and listen to those who may be giving you clues to their intentions. Change of attitude, no interest in normal activities, not “being themselves”, being irresponsible, drinking too much, and even comments about “I can’t do this much longer” or “I’m so tired of trying” can be clues. Take advantage of behavioral health training and care and encourage others to join you. Help us break the stigma of asking for help. Make good behavioral health care a part of our daily lives. Many spend hours in a fitness center, working out, eating healthy, watching their weight and being physically strong. Why not do the same for your mental health? Help us make it the normal way of doing business. Your South Carolina State Firefighter Association has made the commitment to provide these types of programs for you. We are on the cutting edge of great things to come in firefighter behavioral health and we need the support of each of you to be successful. We, here in the Lowcountry, join all of our brothers and sisters who are a part of the Firefighter Assistance and Support Team all over our State as a group dedicated to your future emotional health and well-being.
The Lowcountry Firefighter Support Team is an integral part of this effort and we can help. Our Team stands ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to the needs of our firefighters and EMTs and their families. The number here in the Lowcountry is 843-609-8300. Make the call for yourself or for someone else. Call now and we pledge to be there for you.
Gerald