Methods of suicide

Among the known reasons of firefighter and EMS suicides are (Figure 3):

Figure 3. Reasons for EMS suicides

19%

Other reasons, including legal, financial, or combinations of various issues

6%

Medical/ physical issues

7%

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

7%

Addictions

25%

Unknown

15%

Depression

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 ex-