Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders, including law enforcement, fire departments, paramedics, and other emergency medical services, were already susceptible to chronic stress and mental health issues. On the job, these professionals perform valuable services to the public at a high cost, sometimes both to their physical and psychological well-being. Throughout their careers, they cope with extraordinary difficulties daily as they navigate a constant barrage of traumatic and life-threatening situations that, over time, weigh heavily on the psyche, thus increasing their vulnerability for anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and PTSD.
In 2017, the Ruderman Family Foundation reported that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. In light of this staggering statistic, it’s clear that an underlying mental health issue exists within the first responder community. Dr. Eike Blohm, a dedicated emergency medicine physician, is no stranger to harrowing events within his profession and has also witnessed firsthand the adverse effects of trauma on his colleagues. Consequently, he remains committed to raising awareness and educating the public on an ever-increasing concern within the emergency field and helping those in need seek counseling.
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