Crogan: Breaking the stigma — why male veterans and first responders should prioritize mental health

Suicide rates among veterans have increased by nearly 12% in the last four years — that’s an average of 17 veterans taking their lives each day. In addition, a study conducted by the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix found that Arizona EMTs, paramedics and firefighters’ risk for suicide is 39% higher than the general public.

Male veterans and first responders often face unique and intense stressors in their daily work that can significantly impact their mental health and well-being. They spend a lifetime training and learning how to respond to and manage other people’s problems, but they’re rarely trained to work on their own problems.

Unique mental health challenges faced by veterans, first responders

Mental health challenges among male veterans and first responders often stem from their high-risk, high-stress and often trauma-exposed roles. They include:

1. Post-traumatic stress disorder — Repeated exposure to traumatic events (such as combat or life-threatening situations) can lead to PTSD. Often marked by flashbacks, nightmares and avoidance behaviors, this condition can deeply affect daily lives and relationships.

2. Survivor’s guilt — Many veterans and first responders have survived life-threatening situations, which can lead to survivor’s guilt. Some often feel as though they didn’t deserve to survive while others pass, leading to ongoing emotional distress, which can complicate their ability to process and heal from past traumatic experiences.

3. Reluctance to seek help — There is a strong stigma among veterans and first responders that surrounds mental health. Many fear being viewed as weak among their peers. Some even fear it could negatively impact their careers. This stigma can prevent them from seeking the help they need, leading to long-term mental issues and high suicide rates.

Barriers to seeking mental health support

In addition to the stigma around mental health in these male-dominated and high-stake professions, there are other barriers in the way of first responders and veterans to seek mental health support.

1. Lack of time and accessibility — Demanding schedules, long shifts and remote deployment locations often limit veterans and first responders’ access to mental health services. Limited availability of health professionals trained in specific areas can also add to the challenge.

2. Financial constraints — Health services can quickly add up, especially if long-term, despite access to healthcare benefits. Not all insurance companies offer coverage for services such as therapy, medication and other forms of treatment.

3. Limited awareness and understanding — Some veterans and first responders may not fully recognize the symptoms of mental health issues or understand that they can be treated. Mental health literacy, or lack thereof, can lead some to believe their symptoms are just “part of the job.”

Effective mental health practices and resources

Addressing the high suicide rate among veterans and first responders requires a multifaceted approach that includes mental health support, stigma reduction, education and policy changes, all to encourage veterans and first responders to seek the care they need.

1. TALK — Start the conversation about mental health at home and in the workplace. It could be as little as doing Code 4 checks at work, actively listening and showing compassion to one another, both in the field and at home, or asking the person directly if they are thinking about suicide. Don’t be afraid to use that word: suicide. Avoiding the matter is only going to cause them to feel more embarrassed.

2. LISTEN — Let the veteran or first responder in your life freely express their feelings without judgment and interruption. Make sure to be supportive and empathetic.

3. ENCOURAGE — If you feel they might be in any immediate danger, encourage them to seek professional help. Organizations like Stop Our Stigma offer resources for veterans and first responders. Contact a trusted friend or family member about the situation to involve them in providing additional support. Contact a crisis helpline, like 988 or EMSHelp.org

Changing the narrative around mental health

Typically, first responders and veterans tend to cope by quickly alleviating the stress rather than identifying the cause.

They often fear that if they outwardly say the thing they love to do is the thing that is causing them the most stress, then they may not be cut out to do the job they thought they were. Because of this, it’s important to change the narrative around mental health and highlight the mental health care resources to help veterans and first responders maintain their well-being despite the difficult nature of their work.

We should aim to eradicate the damaging stigma surrounding mental health within the industry and promote empathy and understanding among peers, in addition to challenging higher ups to provide resources to employees to decrease the suicide rate.

It’s time to drop the armor and relieve yourself from duty once you clock out. Your mental health depends on it.

Editor’s note: City of Mesa Fire Capt. Dale Crogan is a board member of Stop Our Stigma, a nonprofit organization committed to reducing the rate of suicide among paramedics, EMTs and firefighters. For resources, visit EMSHelp.org and StopOurStigma.org. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.