Suicide is real and impacts families across the nation, including right here in Jacksonville. One group that has seen suicides increase at an alarming rate is firefighters.
Burnout, trauma, and high stress are significant factors threatening the mental health of firefighters.
According to the Ruderman White Paper on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders, the suicide rate for firefighters is 18 per 100,000, compared to 13 per 100,000 for the general public.
To help prevent further suicides, Florida lawmakers are discussing a bill aimed at providing additional resources for these first responders.
Kelly Dobson, a Jacksonville firefighter with more than two decades of service and the president of the Jacksonville Firefighter Association, shared his perspective on the challenges firefighters face.
“No human being is supposed to see some of the things that a firefighter sees,” he said.
Firefighters often witness tragic situations that can be difficult to process. Dobson noted that it can be hard not to take work home.
“We see some tragic situations that you don’t know. You just leave and go home, and you assume everyone is built to handle it if they choose this career,” he explained.
Dobson mentioned that during his career, two firefighters in Jacksonville took their own lives.
“It shocks the system, and your first thought is, ‘Why and why didn’t we identify this?’” he said. “The question is what builds up to that. I think it’s probably the effects of what they see throughout their career, much less of what they are going through in their personal life.”
Now, Florida lawmakers are working to lower the number of these types of deaths among firefighters.
Florida Rep. Erika Booth (R-Osceola) introduced House Bill 929, which is designed to enhance the safety, health, and well-being of firefighters across the state.
Rep. Danny Alvarez (R-Hillsborough) expressed strong support for the bill.
“This bill asks the question, ‘Why are our bravest taking their own lives?’ Doesn’t that beg the question in your brain?” Alvarez said. “The guy or gal that says, ‘I’m going in when people are shooting’ or the guy and gal that says, ‘Oh, the building is burning, let me go’—those are the people taking their own lives.”
One of the key components of this bill is the requirement for fire departments to report firefighter suicides. Booth explained that this provision will improve tracking and prevention efforts statewide, allowing for a more accurate understanding of the mental health challenges affecting firefighters.
This is like when departments report cancer or PTSD cases, as well as on-the-job injuries.
Additionally, the bill aims to replace toxic chemicals in firefighters’ gear and create a healthier work schedule for firefighters that doesn’t exceed 42 hours a week.
“You spend a third of your life at the station. You spend more time with your employees and your coworkers than you do with your own spouse,” Dobson noted.
While he is uncertain about the future impact of this bill, Dobson believes that if it stops even one suicide, it is worth it.
“It’s still going to be a stressful job; everyone knows that,” he said. “But if there is something available that we aren’t doing, we want to make sure we are making the best practices.”
The bill was just added to the State Affairs Committee. We will update you as this develops.
Resources
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Here is a list of mental health resources available in Florida.
- UF Health St. Johns Behavioral Health Resource Center - open 24/7 with clinicians on staff and available to assist during a crisis. No appointment is needed.
- EPIC Behavioral Health Rapid Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 26+, dial 988, and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- EPIC Access Support Center – Walk-in services for mental health at their North Campus, Northwest Campus, and Flagler Campus. If this service is needed, walk-in during hours or call (904) 495-7001.
- Mobile Response Team – 24/7 service for individuals 5-25 years old. Dial 988 or 911 and a response will occur within 60 minutes of the request.
- Vinson Foundation - A support group for St. Johns, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and Orange Park, for families who lost someone to suicide.
- St. Augustine Youth Services: 904-829-1770
- Call 211 - Local experts are available 24/7 to help. Calls to 211 are confidential and can be anonymous.
- Hope for Healing Florida - Hope for Healing navigates the many ways Floridians can access help for mental health and substance abuse
These resources can be accessed nationwide:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for help. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or someone you know.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides resources for issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
- Veterans Crisis Line - Text 838255 or call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- Crisis Text Line - Text “Home” to 741741
- Teen Line - Text “Teen” to 839863
