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Suicide and First Responders

Suicide and First Responders. Bill Prasad Behavioral Health Coordinator Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. Suicide in America. Deaths per year: 30,000 80 per day One suicide every 15 minutes Eleventh leading cause of death Each suicide affects at least six people

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Suicide and First Responders

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  1. Suicide and First Responders Bill Prasad Behavioral Health Coordinator Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

  2. Suicide in America • Deaths per year: 30,000 • 80 per day • One suicide every 15 minutes • Eleventh leading cause of death • Each suicide affects at least six people • 800,000 attempts every year • 5 million have attempted suicide • Firearms used in 52% of suicides

  3. Suicide by Race/Gender • White males: 72% of suicides • White males and females: 90% of suicides ------------------------------------------ • Firefighters: 96% male/85% white • Paramedics: 69% male/93% white • Police officers: 85% male/85% white First responder population mirrors high risk group

  4. Suicide by Occupation • OSHA tracks only on-the-job deaths • Many states do not track deaths by occupation • NYPD: Suicide rate of 29 per 100,000 a year. General population is 12 per 100,000 • NYPD: Most were white males who shot themselves while off duty • Nationally, twice as many police (300) complete suicide as are killed in the line of duty

  5. Suicide by Occupation • Chicago FD: 2008 to 2009

  6. Firefighter Suicide “A firefighter’s suicide strikes at the very core value of the profession– teamwork.” “When a fire department experiences this tragedy, its impact can be emotionally and mentally debilitating for the personnel left behind to grieve.” www.firechief.com

  7. Suicides Per 100,000

  8. Completed Suicide

  9. First Responder Risk Factors • Divorce • Trauma • Stress • Sudden fame

  10. Divorce • National Rate: 50% • Police: 60 to 75% • Police: 80% of suicides linked to divorce or relationship break-up • Fire: 50 to 65% • Fire: Many relationship break-ups linked to 24 hour shifts, OT, stress

  11. Trauma/Sudden Fame • New York: Three firefighters who helped rescue 9-11 victims killed themselves within a year • Oklahoma City: A police sergeant who rescued four victims at the bombed Federal building completed suicide • Texas: A paramedic who helped rescue baby Jessica McClure from a well later took his life

  12. Life Events as Triggers • Suicide/Death of loved one • Serious family illness • Loss of health • Loss of employment • Retirement • Financial problems • Legal problems

  13. Life Events as Triggers • Victim of crime • Sexual assault/domestic violence • Witness to violence • Poor grades • Sexuality concerns • Substance abuse

  14. Suicide Motivation • Loss or change in important relationship • To avoid or end perceived pain • Escape intolerable situation • Gain attention • Punish others/self • Become a martyr

  15. Support System Warning Signs • Lack of support system • Rejected by peers • Separation from family or friends • Loner or newcomer • Feels like no one cares

  16. Indirect Suicide Indicators • Buying a weapon • Giving away possessions • Making a will • Talking about a long trip • Taking unusual risks • Sudden religious interest/disinterest • Substance abuse relapse

  17. Indirect Verbal Clues • I can’t go on any longer • I’m tired of life • Life has lost its meaning • I can’t take the pain • You’d be better of without me • You’re going to regret how you treated me

  18. Direct Verbal Cues • I might as well be dead • I wish I were dead • If ------- doesn’t happen, I’m going to end it • I’m going to kill myself

  19. Important Questions • Have you been thinking of hurting or killing yourself? • When did you last think of suicide? • Have you ever attempted suicide? • Has anyone in your family attempted/completed suicide? • Do you have a plan? • Do you have the means for carrying out plan?

  20. Principles of Suicide Prevention Programs • Encourage help-seeking behavior • High risk target population= more intense effort • Age-specific • Developmentally appropriate • Culturally sensitive

  21. Organizational Suicide Prevention Programs • Supported/endorsed by senior staff and union • Pamphlets, handouts, face-to-face briefings • Everyone has a responsibility • Focus on identifying red flags • Have accessible help

  22. Risk Factors • Sex (male) • Race (white) • Age (15 to 34) and (65+) • Depression • Previous exposure (self or family) • Loss of hope/rational thinking • Means and plan • No spouse or significant other • Illness

  23. Sources • Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention, Clark, Thompson and Welzant • World Health Organization, Preventing Suicide • www.firechief.com

  24. Suicide and First Responders Bill Prasad Behavioral Health Coordinator Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

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