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Post by Admin on Nov 8, 2017 14:55:15 GMT -4
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Post by muqaddam on Nov 8, 2017 20:57:15 GMT -4
"Firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty;” that is unbelievable. An article titled, “Career prevalence and correlates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among firefighters,” describes that firefighters report an alarmingly high career prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Results from that study showed that the career prevalence estimates of “suicide ideation, plans, attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury were found to be 46.8%, 19.2%, 15.5%, and 16.4%, respectively.” Risk factors for these suicidal thoughts and or execution include: “lower firefighter rank, fewer years of firefighter service, membership in an all-volunteer department, a history of professionally responding to a suicide attempt or death, and active duty military status.” We must admit that firefighters go through extremely stressful situations that are dangerous and life threatening. We as a society know that a firefighter's job puts their life at risk but we never think about the how their job can also have an impact on them mentally/emotionally (mental/anxiety/stressor-related/mood/substance-use disorders,) and may lead to suicide. Firefighters are at an increase risk for depression, anxiety, PTSD, heavy alcohol consumption, suicide etc. This article says that research on wildland firefighters is rare but an online study is underway.
Suicide, or any mental disorder, should never be taken lightly. Suicide is prevalent in all occupations, even for physicians, and most of these people who execute their planned suicide often have underlying psychiatric disorders. An online article states: “The most common psychiatric diagnoses among physicians who complete suicide are affective disorders (eg, depression and bipolar disease), alcoholism, and substance abuse.” We should be screening firefighters, physicians, etc for these disorders and suicidal ideations.
In conclusion, firefighters should not have to deal with this alone; they need help. There is a compelling need for additional research as well as increased prevention and treatment efforts among firefighters to decrease suicide risk.
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Post by Jason McKinley on Nov 11, 2017 20:11:50 GMT -4
Stressful and life-threatening encounters clearly have an impact on our brains. We see this exemplified in the acute stress disorders and PTSD associated with high risk jobs - military, police, paramedics firefighters among other professions. Early intervention is vital. But as this article points out, in order to intervene we must have early recognition and education. The primary thing to value here is primary preventative care. This means providing access to appropriate medical care as a means of screening individuals susceptible to becoming unhinged by the stress. Suicide is indeed a stigma that is tough to face head-on, but it needs to be talked about to get it in the open. As presented in the article, addressing this issue must come from "multiple directions": Getting counselors in there who have experience and relatability, educating about suicide/PTSD signs before-hand etc. These men and women are on the ground doing a job most people could not physically or mentally manage; I think it necessary to support them through efforts to keep them physically and mentally safe in return.
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Post by Margaret Meyer on Nov 11, 2017 21:58:00 GMT -4
This article, “A Quiet Rise in Wildland-Firefighter Suicides” by, Heather Hansman is very eye opening about how suicide is so prevalent in the wildfire firefighting community. The fact that a firefighter is more likely to die from suicide then on the job indicates a lack of mental health support for this group of people and a need for intervention. I think it is very important to discuss these topics in order to open the door for intervention. In the article they discuss providing training classes and giving firefighters the tools to help prevent suicide. I think this is an important first step and look forward to seeing data that not only analyses the problem as it is, but also quantifies how effective the intervention program is working. I wish the article has discussed more details about how this intervention program is run, for example, are the families of the firefighters given information on this topic too, or are they only talking to the firefighters themselves. Hopefully these interventions are proven effective and can then be applied to other groups of people at high suicide risk.
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Post by Ukpono Inyangudoh on Nov 11, 2017 23:23:29 GMT -4
David Dangerfield – a fire rescue battalion chief posted a harrowing message on Facebook just hours before he committed suicide. “PTSD for Firefighters is real,” he wrote. “If your love one is experiencing signs get them help quickly. 27 years of deaths and babies dying in your hands is a memory that you will never get rid off. It haunted me daily until now. Previous statistics shows about 102 known suicides among firefighters in 2016 alone and firefighters are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than in the field.Firefighters are trained to maintain coolheadedness(Give help but not ask for it),they are not taught how to deal with deaths, crying babies and challenging situations they encounter while on the job.Many have developed PTSD, depression and addiction because of bottled-up emotions and are scared to have a conversation about it because of the stigma attached.I believe if this signs ranging from recklessness,isolation,anger,loss of competence skills and abilities and sleep deprivation mental health should be questioned immediately and appropriate actions taken.Finally firefighters(wildland) should be encouraged to get counseling, if possible on site trauma counselors should be provided and mental health teaching should be made mandatory for new recruits.
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Post by Terry K Tran on Nov 12, 2017 20:20:01 GMT -4
As a combat veteran who have experience with PTSD, there are several similar exposures between the Wildland Firefighters and soldiers who had been deployed. The article also noted some of these characters that are similar between the two professions, especially those "Smoke Jumpers". Modern technological advances has made rapid deployment for these professionals possible. While the pros to rapid deployment is strategically appreciable, the sudden change into a high stress environment can have long term effects to the brain. What's even more shocking to the brain is the rapid redeployment home. Historically, soldiers returning home had a longer period of time to adapt due to technological limitations. Similar can be said when comparing traditional firefighters and the Wildland Firefighters. Another risk, as mentioned in the article, is the intrinsic lack of initiative to seek mental help in these testosterone driven professions. Considering these three factors alone it seems like what would really help these firefighters, and soldiers, is educating them and their families on the signs and symptoms of PTSD, depression and suicide. Another important thing is to provide accessible help and support system.
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Post by alexzayid on Nov 13, 2017 11:05:40 GMT -4
This article brings another profession into the scope of PTSD that many would not have thought of before, but makes a lot of sense when you look more into it. As the article states, most of the wildfire firefighter teams are composed of men, some of which being convicts. As much as society has attempted to make strides towards increasing mental health awareness, in many demographics the stigma remains that discussing it or admitting there is a problem makes you "weak." This article shows the benefits that can come from desensitizing these populations to treatment and discussion. Discussion alone leads to the benefits that can come from having a better understanding of how traumatic incidents can be better dealt with to prevent long term anxiety, depression or suicide. As the article stated, the counseling provided to the firefighters was a unknown necessity as after its trial introduction which lead to St. Claire's program becoming implemented in the agency program training in 2013. In time, along with more education, the battle against mental health and an increase in awareness will allow more firefighters to be able to fight this battle, rather than "rub some dirt on it."
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Post by Rahim. Jiwani on Nov 13, 2017 12:05:13 GMT -4
Although not a field where ptsd is commonly referenced, it makes too much sence that those who risk there life's at time To help other may experiance flashbacks and other symptoms of these potentially harmful situations. Much like the military in a sence, but the association of ptsd with the military is much more common and awareness is becoming more prominent. This article depicted a sad situation where this individual felt there was no help available. Much like the sexual assault article we commented on recently it makes you wonder if people just had the ability and environment to come forward when feeling certain ways and if they felt there was someone who could help and provide support,maybe some of the long term adverse out comes like suicide could be prevented. I strongly believe that speaking out and raising awareness for ptsd in all fields will go along way to preventing some of the things we read about all too Often where individuals are harming others and taking there own lives.
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Post by Taylor Vaughan on Nov 14, 2017 15:03:19 GMT -4
This article hits on several points regarding often overlooked psychiatric issues among certain at-risk groups. One is the misconception that bravery and stoicism are indicative of psychological wellness. As the article points out, these heroic men and women serve in a culture where they are expected to be tough both physically and mentally, so seeking help for feelings of guilt or depression may be considered a sign of weakness. I think a crucial aspect of any counselor interaction is for the patient to feel like they can relate to the provider, which is likely even more important among specific at-risk groups such as wildland firefighters. A great example of how NOT to relate is given in the article, with the 350lb oxygen-dependent obese man speaking to these young, fit firefighters about how physical fitness can improve mental health. They would have had a much more positive response if the speaker had been a current or retired wildland firefighter who had struggled with depression and found that keeping up with his physical fitness was therapeutic.
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Post by Tobin George on Nov 15, 2017 12:41:06 GMT -4
This article is another example of how America really needs to take mental health issues more seriously. This article talks about the mental strain put on firefighters and how that could eventually led them to commit suicide. It talked about how years ago there was a stigma about admitting if you have a problem you are seen as weak. As a society, we have definitely made strides to bring mental health awareness and education to another profession who suffers from depression, anxiety, PTSD. I never even thought about firefighters and the mental struggle they must endure especially ones that are fighting wildfires. The article talks about how the stigma is breaking slowly and more and more fire centers are asking for training classes and giving firefighters the tools to help prevent suicide. After reading this article I believe no matter what profession you are in, every American should be taught and counseled once a year at least if you work in non-high risk field. We never know what a human being is going through. Mental health is a growing concern for all people regardless of profession. It’s time to stop talking about the problems and actually initiating these training programs like these fire stations are doing.
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Post by tsahi on Nov 17, 2017 14:13:23 GMT -4
The more we normalize talking about mental health the more acceptable it will feel for people to open up about their own mental health state. This article shows the seriousness of the situation by comparing the trauma of veterans to the trauma of wildfire firefighters. I think educating fire fighters on how to cope with their trauma and to recognize suicide risk in teammates is a huge step in the right direction. It becomes really easy for people to turn to substance abuse or alcohol when they feel like there is no other way to deal with their trauma. I think the fact that some firefighters are not aware "You could go to work and you could die", that better training programs should be put in place. In my opinion breaking the stigma around therapy and making it more accessible would be beneficial.
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Post by Ize Anumah on Nov 21, 2017 10:26:00 GMT -4
Firefighters are trained and built to be resilient, strong, to separate their emotions from the job. Although this is important because in the rush of fires and making decisions that could cost or save a life, one has to be objective and emotions have a way of making that difficult. However,the problem ensues when these firefighters become extremely accustomed to being strong and resilient on the field that addressing these emotions outside the rush and adrenaline on the job becomes a problem probably because it appears 'weak'and something they cannot afford to be. They need to be regularly if need be, forced to address these negative emotions that arise from the experiences on the field. They need to become confortable with being that tough person on the field and a completely different vulnerable person with a therapist or whoever they feel comfortable speaking with. Undeniably,being in fires everyday knowing it may be your last,saving people and loosing some,watching some die, will have an impact on the mental health of anyone.As resources allow, every firefighter should be linked with a therapist whom they followup with as regularly as possible, they as well need to assure themselves and each other that it is perfectly fine to 'not be strong'. They need to be educated on the signs to watch out for in thier colleagues and reach out to them because they may not be able to speak out and get help. They also need to be made to understand how denial of these issues can not only affect thier personal life but thier performance at work as well.It is apalling to hear that firefighters die more from suicides than in the line of duty. Mental health professionals need to pay more attention to this category of people, they deserve much more for thier selfless service.
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Post by robin chowdhury on Nov 25, 2017 17:43:07 GMT -4
When you think of a profession like firefighting, you think of strong and resilient people who are saving lives in very risky circumstances. It is easy for a lot of people to ignore the fact that even these people can be affected by the situations that they are put in. I believe that before entering any of these professions, there should be some sort of program to mentally prepare these people for emotions or mental troubles that they may face during their career.
"Things can be even harder when fire season ends and they lose a team, a paycheck, and the purposeful adrenaline rush of being on the line. Reentering family life can be deceptively stressful, especially in isolated rural areas". This is also interesting because it shows how even when there are no fires and they are not out there doing their job, there are still other factors that can affect their mental health. Suicide is a very deep topic and this article is an example how emotions from almost anything stressful can lead to that outcome in some people.
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Post by Faithful Ogundiran on Nov 26, 2017 23:20:55 GMT -4
It is sad that people think that PTSD doesn't occur amongst Firefighters or that it is overlooked, it occurs as much as it does in military men. Its an emotionally traumatizing job, but because of the fact that they have had to keep their emotions aside just to save everyone, we automatically think that they are fine and don't suffer from PTSD especially when they loose their colleague . We think that they are always strong but we never notice that these people have constantly had to suppress their emotions just to be strong for others when in reality they are dying on the inside. Well, I would like to suggest that the issue should be addressed just to prevent and reduce suicide rates amongst them. Awareness can be created, therapy should be provided and made mandatory for every fire fighter so they can actually talk about it because talking to an expert goes a long way. This is a serious issue that should be given lots of attention.
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Post by RC Arsalan on Dec 3, 2017 22:12:54 GMT -4
Each firefighter, inevitably, will have to deal with some brutal case at some point in his/her career. Now, if the system is designed properly, he/she should not end up with severe PTSD or depression that can lead to suicide. However, the current system lacks adequate preventive measures. I believe therapy after major incident must become mandatory for every involved firefighter. Sometimes, the individual is in shock and cannot understand how the current events have affected him/her. Also, every individual must go through an extensive medical and background check prior his/her acceptance to the forces. This would help to omit the individuals with predisposition to depression and PTSD. Taking such preventive measurement would surely help to reduce number of suicide as well as depression and anxiety among firefighters.
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