LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — As the nation grapples with a mental health crisis, first responders find themselves at a heightened risk for suicide due to the demanding nature of their work.
First responders, including firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, often face higher rates of mental health challenges.
Captain Ronnie Spivey of the Little Rock Fire Department explained, “We can go from calls from a hot water tank leaking to the worst thing imaginable.” Battalion Chief Louis Cimino of the Cabot Fire Department added, “When they call us, it’s their worst moment, and we don’t know what that could be.”
Many first responders suffer in silence, reluctant to seek help.
Captain Stephen Adams of the Little Rock Fire Department said, “We’re used to being helpers. So, the thing about helpers is we don’t do a good job at asking for help, and if we do ask for help, we’re worse at receiving help.”
The stigma surrounding mental health in these professions exacerbates the issue. Assistant Chief Zachary Warren of the Alexander Fire Department said, “There’s a stigma that if you talk about mental health among first responders, firefighters, police, that you’re weak or that you can’t handle the job, and that’s just not true.”
“In the military and first responders it’s… don’t talk about it. You might lose your job if you talk about it,” Spivey said when speaking on how mental health was viewed in the past.
Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of addressing trauma. Candace Carter, LPC, and Constance Carter, LPC, co-owners of Integrative Counseling, said, “A lot of times they are suffering alone. You know, they’re feeling alone. They’re feeling like they’re on this island by themselves,” and added “you’re human. You have a human brain, you have a human body, and you can only withstand so much.”
“Mental health is something that that we’re known to struggle with firefighter EMS and police. We divorce at higher rates. We substance abuse at higher rates. The stressful natures of our jobs, the time away, all of that are contributing factors as to what makes our lives and our jobs challenging,” Adams said.
“It’s not just their one worst day, it’s that’s their life, that’s their every single day they’re there with whatever struggle that they’re, you know, having to help somebody else through,” EMT, Serena Krone said.
“We lose too many, and we don’t have to,” Krone added, as she knows this all too well after losing her sister, Brittany, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, to suicide, just a week before she was sent to start as an EMT herself. “Last text message from her was telling me how proud she was of me and how I was going to do great,” Krone said.
“She put everything she had into helping others. And I think in the back of my mind, it was because she wanted somebody to help her too,” she added.
Krone is now the Deputy Director of the Arkansas First Responder’s Bureau to help make sure other’s done face the same fate. “Her life is not classified by how she died, but it’s not going to be in vain,” she said.
Support systems also play a crucial role in tackling mental health issues. A group of local firefighters found this to be true when they formed the Kitchen Table Foundation, a monthly meet-up where first responders can share their experiences… After realizing how much of a necessity it was.
“They need it…When you hear these conversations that go down, you’re you know that you’re in the right spot,” Bryant Firefighter, Juan Acosta, said. “It kind of was a spark that ignited into a flame,” Adams said.
The community also plays a role in supporting first responders. Justin Janney, CEO of The Local Tavern, said, “It gives us an opportunity to get them at a table together, shake their hands, celebrate with them, and hear their stories. When you have people that put their lives on the line every day is taking a moment and thanking them for what they do.”
Others shared their gratitude like Bryant Mayor Chris Treat, “You’re special. You’re a special breed. We know it, you know it, and we’re really glad you do what you do.” They Bryant Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Shane Knight chimed in as well saying, “It may be cliche, but I don’t think it’s ever taken for granted on the men and women that wear the uniforms, police, fire, EMS, military, whatever it may be when you say thank you, when you walk up and you pat them on the back, you put your arm around them and you say, Hey, I appreciate everything you do for me”.
Experts advocate for trauma therapy, including cognitive processing therapy and EMDR, as effective treatments. This is something Officer Samantha Sturdevant of the Bryant Police Department, who was shot in the face while on duty, said was proven to be effective for her. “If it wasn’t for the mental health world that I explored outside of my injuries and the incident that did happen, I wouldn’t be where I am and it’s just a door that a lot of people should really open. Just open it and just look at it, and you won’t be disappointed.,” Sturdevant said.
“If we talk as freely as we do about mental health as we do about physical health, you know, you say, Hey, I’ve got flu. Hey, man, I’m feeling depressed. I’m going to see somebody about it. It’s we. To make that normal, because there’s nothing to shame with needing help,” Krone said.
“Either you served or you’re serving, right? Once a firefighter, always a firefighter. Once a first responder, always a first responder,” Acosta said.
“Don’t be afraid to open up. Don’t be afraid to reach out to somebody, even if you don’t know them.” Warren said.
“Hopefully, the culture is changing from the ground up of hey, if you don’t talk about it, nobody can help you,” Spivey said.
“Keep your head up. Keep doing the good work. Don’t let the bad days. Don’t let the bad days beat you down. There are good days. There are more good days than bad days,” Adams said.
The Kitchen Table Foundation for First Responders meets monthly, with the next gathering scheduled for Thursday at The Local Tavern in Bryant.
For more information the Kitchen Table Foundation click here.
