The Night I Almost Jumped: EMS Culture and EMS Suicide

Presentation Details: This presentation begins with a discussion of the time I nearly jumped from my sixth floor college dorm room. I want to talk about it so that others may feel inclined to talk about the dark places in which they may be stuck. I then talk about several EMS providers, including two co-workers, one of which was a friend, who have completed suicide. Telling their stories is important because some audience members may relate to their situations, plus putting a face to the problem of First Responder suicide can be helpful in bringing attention to it. I then go on to speak about the stigma surrounding mental health in Emergency Services, and the steps being taken to break that stigma. The audience is then given several options for coping mechanisms so they may find outlets to deal with the stresses they may face on and off the job. I wrap up with a discussion of resiliency, and share documented steps for people to build resiliency in themselves, and, perhaps, those around them. It is important for audience members to know that it is not about the things that happen to you, it is how you respond to, and overcome the bad things in life that happen. I want everyone to know it is okay to talk about these things, and it is okay to not be okay.