September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
In the fire service, suicide is occurring at an alarming rate. According to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, from 2000 – 2012, there were more than 160 known firefighter suicides (an average of one a month). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that there are between eight and twenty-five suicide attempts for every suicide death. In 2018, there were more firefighter suicides than line of duty deaths (LODDs). Also, 2018 was the fifth year in a row where there were more firefighter suicides than firefighter line of duty deaths (LODDs).
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255, or call 9-1-1 for local assistance.