In a article by Sean P. Hulsman, M.Ed, EMT-P, he discusses the real world effects of PTSD on EMS workers.
One of the interesting points that were shared is that in 2017 there were more law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS workers that died by suicide than in the line of duty. A study revealed that about 45% of first responders reported symptoms of mental health disorders including PTSD, depression, and panic disorder.
Industry leaders and even politicians are now recognizing that these are real issues in the lives of first responders and the stigma is fading.
Many agencies, hospitals, and clinics are now contracting with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to provide help to staff at little or no cost to the staff.
There are some things you can do to reduce the cumulative stress that comes with the EMS related jobs and the article did a great job discussing them:
Still many of us fail to eat right and it thus bears repetition. Caffeine is a tool, not a food group.
Exercise, meditation, sleep and a good diet all promote a healthy lifestyle, and can be the difference between a long rewarding career and an abbreviated stay fraught with emotional or physical pain.