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If you have any questions about the PECC+ Project, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at: jcyr@med.unc.edu.
Balancing Health and Duty: Mental Health Resources for EMS
Emergency Medical Service (EMS) clinicians are almost aways the first to arrive on scene, providing medical assistance to patients when they need it the most. EMS must act fast and efficiently to identify their patient needs and quickly deliver a solution. However, the high-stress, high-risk environment and frequent exposure to traumatic events which are innate to the prehospital setting places clinicians’ well-being and long-term psychological health at risk. EMS and other medical providers are at risk for several mental health conditions, including:
PTSD • Burnout • Anxiety • Depression • Addiction • Suicidal thoughts
A recent national survey of 2,650 EMS clinicians found that 23.4% of EMTs and 19.7% of paramedics reported they would likely leave their EMS jobs within the next 12 months (Crowe et al., 2018). Moreover, providers who reported burnout were more likely to report having missed ten or more days of work due to sickness in the past 12 months, which highlights the impact it can have on the workforce stability. In another study EMT mortality odds by suicide were approximately 40% higher than the general population (Vigil et al., 2019).
EMS do not have to face stress and trauma alone. The Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators Plus (PECC+) program, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in support of EMS providers’ wellness, have compiled several local and national resources.
National Resources
- EMS Helpline – +1 (888)-731-FIRE (3473)
- Service provided by the Nacional Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to prevent suicide and provide free resources, confidential support, and other tools to improve mental health.
- Safe Call Now – +1 (206)-459-3020
- Safe Call Now is an organization initially founded in the state of Washington, that extended its operation nationwide. Staffed by public safety professionals and former law enforcement officers, the organization provides simple and confidential way to ask for help for a wide range of issues. Safe Call Now works collectively with a variety of unions, public safety groups and various mental health and substance abuse professionals to support first responders and those in the line of trauma around the nation.
- The Code Green Campaign
- First responder oriented mental health advocacy and education organization. Also known as Code Green, they serve all types of first responders. This includes firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, dispatchers, police, corrections, air medical, and search & rescue. Their name is a combination of the color for mental health awareness (green) and the “code alerts” used in emergency services. If someone is having a stroke or heart attack first responders will call a “code stroke” or “code STEMI”. The idea is that Code Green is calling a code alert on the mental health of first responders.
- National Suicide Prevention Line – 988 (call or text)
- Service provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
- Disaster Distress Helpline – +1 (800) 985-5590 or text “TALKWITHUS” to 66746
- Service provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters
- National Hopline Network – +1 (800) 442-4673
- Service provided by Kristin Brooks Hope Center (as American Public Benefit Corporation), for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts
- Crisis Text Line – Text “HOME” to 741741
- Non-profit Organization that provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need
- MentalHealthHotline.org – 866-903-3787
- This organization connects individuals to national and state-based mental health resources
North Carolina Resources
- NC LEAP – +1 (919) 677-0561
- Non-profit Organization that offers Peer-driven assistance to law enforcement officers, firefighters and first responders who have been involved in critical incidents. Mental health professionals help tremendously in dealing with critical incidents and we have found that proven sustainable success comes from the use of peers who have experienced critical incidents. Peers are an invaluable resource for those working through traumatic experiences. Through the combination of Peer Support, Chaplaincy services, Post Critical Incident Seminars, education and training we are impacting careers, families, and the lives of those who serve. Click HERE to learn more.
- Survive First (NC Support Group) – +1 (910) 578-5520
- Non-profit organization that was created to be a confidential and supportive resource for first responders dealing with personal, traumatic, and/or cumulative stress resulting from the unique stressors and responsibilities of emergency services personnel. Click HERE to learn more.
- Mental health association in Forsyth county – +1 (336) 768-3880
- Non-profit organization provide an array of non-clinical, educational, and supportive mental health services. Such as FREE support groups, information and referral services, representative payee services, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainings to law enforcement, “Mental Health 101” training, suicide education and prevention, and other services. Click HERE to learn more.
- National Alliance on Mental Health Illness (NAMI) of NC – +1(800) 451-9682
- Non-profit organization, branch of the NAMI National in the state one North Carolina. For year they have worked with community leaders to raise awareness and provide essential education, advocacy and support to those suffering form mental health illness. They provide both hotline and in-person service in several counties. Click HERE to learn more.