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Excerpts from 11alive.com:
More firefighters have died by suicide than in the line of duty over the past year, according to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. The numbers are truly alarming. In just the past seven days, eight firefighters across the United States lost their lives to suicide. One of them was from Fayette County, Georgia.
Understanding when a fellow firefighter is struggling can be incredibly difficult, but it’s an issue that demands our attention. The emotional toll of the job—exposure to trauma, long hours, and high stress—can take a heavy mental and emotional toll. Yet, despite these challenges, many firefighters still feel isolated or unable to ask for help.
So far this year, there have been 98 reported suicides among firefighters and EMTs. Experts estimate that only about 55% of cases are actually reported. The recent death of Fayette County Fire Department Lieutenant Ed Sherwood has shaken the community deeply. His department was open and honest about his passing, acknowledging the struggles that people in their profession face silently.
Jeff Dill, founder of the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, outlines five key warning signs that can indicate a firefighter is in crisis. These are known as R.A.I.L.S.:
- R - Recklessness/Impulsiveness: This might include unusual behaviors like suddenly buying weapons if they’ve never done so before.
- A - Anger: Uncontrolled or suppressed anger, even over small things, can signal deeper emotional pain.
- I - Isolation: Pulling away from coworkers, not participating in team activities, or avoiding calls could be a red flag.
- L - Loss of Confidence: Some firefighters report feeling unsure of their abilities due to personal or emotional struggles.
- S - Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep can point to stress, anxiety, or PTSD, which may go unnoticed by the individual themselves.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, help is available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For emergency personnel, texting HOME to 741741 connects you with a live, trained crisis counselor 24/7. This service is free and available anywhere in the U.S., providing support during any type of crisis.
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