LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – First responders deal with traumatic events every day. And soon, more of them will get the mental health help they might need, thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding coming to the Vegas valley.
Previous research shows elevated rates of suicides among first responders, compared to the rest of the adult population.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Chief, Fernando Gray says unfortunately he’s not surprised to hear about the suicide rates.
But he says this money can be a lifesaver because he’s heard of too many stories like this.
“I am aware of people that have basically lost their life to suicide that were firefighters,” Gray said.
That’s why he’s thankful Senators Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto roped in nearly $1 million to provide mental health training and support to thousands of firefighters, law enforcement and first responders.
“You put your life on the line every day for our community,” Senator Rosen said.
“Too many of our first responders deal with highly traumatic situations daily,” Cortez Masto added.
How many situations? Chief Gray says his department took over 700,000 calls last year.
He says that takes a toll on his crew.
“Just imagine the mass stress that’s associated with again receiving 911 calls where people again are requesting assistance for the worst day possible,” Gray said.
That’s something mental health expert, Tennille Pereira of the Resiliency and Justice Center, formally the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center knows about all too well.
“We’ve had a number of mass violence incidents here in our community,” Pereira said. “Showing up on scene at a motorcycle crash, that’s very traumatic to see. “
That’s just one of many stories she hears from the 150 or so first responders she helps each year with trauma recovery services.
But even she says seeking mental health help can backfire if people don’t want it.
“When it’s mandated, it’s not very effective, because what happens is, they go in, ‘I’m fine.’”
But the 30-year fire official, Chief Gray says he sees positive changes in his department, where the shame of seeking help is becoming a thing of the past.
“The fire service has evolved to the point to where many of our personnel would tell you it is not a stigma to say, ‘I need resources. I need assistance.’”
If you’re in the emergency response field, there are resources for you, like the Employee Health and Wellness Center, with an emphasis on first responder mental health.
The funding mentioned will help expand peer support groups, provide suicide and substance abuse prevention classes and fund stress management training.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can always call or text the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 9-8-8.
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