I am a father, I am a husband, I am a first responder, and I, among millions of other first responders in America, am at significant risk of killing myself. I am also a graduate student at the University of Utah studying social work, and my passion is working to help first responders get mental help.
First responders have contemplated suicide nearly ten times more than the average American. 3.1% of first responders are reported to have attempted suicide, which is significantly higher than the national average (Levin, 2020). I currently work with around 200 employees; I know and care about each and every one. According to these statistics, 20 of my co-workers have contemplated suicide, and 6 of my beloved co-workers will attempt suicide. These statistics are astronomical and unacceptable. I am writing today to create awareness. I am writing today to tell you that we, as a society, need to do better.
What are some things we can do? First, we can educate ourselves and bring awareness to suicide prevention. People who are having thoughts about suicide or are seriously considering it will begin to behave a certain way. People will often become withdrawn from friends and family. They might sleep too little or too much. Sometimes they’ll lack motivation or begin giving away belongings. A person also might have a sudden shift in personality, or they’ll start abusing substances (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, n.d.). Once we begin to grasp the symptoms, we should do our best to educate others and take signs and symptoms seriously.
Now that we know what signs and symptoms look like, we should begin to talk about it. Ask people if they are OK. Check-in with people you know who are going through a hard time or having significant life changes. When applying this to first responders, don’t ask people, “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen?” (because trust me, people don’t want to relive those moments) and instead ask people if they feel supported at work, if they want to talk about anything, acknowledge their stress, and encourage self-care.
Next, we can attend community events and fundraisers. Fire departments and police stations regularly put on events, including fundraisers that support suicide awareness. Periodically check your community events to find these. Among rising tensions in our local communities and across the country, we should try to understand each other, support each other, and learn about different jobs, communities and cultures. Check-in with loved ones and strangers alike, and don’t forget to hug tightly and love deeply.
Call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) if you or someone you know needs help.
Alexander Nichols, Riverton
