Among the known reasons of firefighter and EMS suicides are (Figure 3):
Figure 3. Reasons for EMS suicides
6% 19%
Medical/ physical issues
7%
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Other reasons, including legal, financial, or combinations of various issues
7%
Addictions
15%
Depression
25%
Unknown
21%
Marital/family relationships
Methods of suicide
In the general population, the most common method of suicide is firearms for males and pills/overdose for females (FBHA, 2021). Yet, the most prevalent method for both male and female firefighters and EMS personnel is firearms (FBHA, 2021). Since 2011, FBHA has been using the term “cultural brainwashing” to help explain this phenomenon. In the context of self-perception, cultural brainwashing means that when first responders put on their uniform, they are ex14
