Mind Over Mayday

Tag: Purpose

  • National Legislative Efforts for First Responder Mental Health: Why We Must Keep Raising Our Voices

    National Legislative Efforts for First Responder Mental Health: Why We Must Keep Raising Our Voices

    First responders are the backbone of our communities, showing up during our worst moments to protect, heal, and save lives. Yet, the toll of witnessing trauma and carrying the weight of those experiences is often overlooked. Despite the undeniable need, resources for mental health support remain inadequate. Thankfully, there are growing efforts at the national level to address these issues, but it’s up to us to ensure they don’t fall through the cracks.

    In a previous post, I discussed how first responders can engage in policy advocacy to create meaningful change. Now, let’s dive into the current legislative efforts and why your voice is crucial in pushing these initiatives forward.

    Current Legislative Efforts

    1. First Responders Wellness Act

    Introduced in July 2024 by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), this bipartisan bill proposes the creation of a grant program to enhance mental health services for first responders. It also includes the establishment of a national mental health hotline specifically for law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and others on the frontlines.

    Current Status: The bill has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, where it awaits further review.

    2. CARE for First Responders Act (H.R.6415)

    Introduced in the House in November 2023, this bill seeks to provide specialized mental health, substance abuse, and crisis counseling services to first responders. The aim is to address the unique challenges these professionals face, including chronic stress and burnout.

    Current Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management for further discussion.

    3. Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2023

    Reintroduced by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in early 2023, this legislation aims to establish programs designed to help first responders cope with the long-term effects of trauma, such as PTSD and depression.

    Current Status: Under consideration, with ongoing discussions about how to best implement and fund these programs.

    The Alarming Reality: Suicide Rates Among First Responders

    The mental health challenges faced by first responders are profound, with suicide rates notably higher than those of the general population. A study by the U.S. Fire Administration analyzing data from 2015 to 2017 found that first responders accounted for 1% of all suicides during that period. Within this group, 58% were law enforcement officers, 21% were firefighters, 18% were EMS providers, and 2% were public safety telecommunicators.

    Further research indicates that 37% of fire and EMS professionals have contemplated suicide, a rate nearly ten times higher than that of American adults. A 2018 white paper by the Ruderman Family Foundation revealed that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

    These statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mental health support tailored to the unique challenges faced by first responders.

    The Need for Continued Advocacy

    Legislative efforts like these are an incredible step forward, but they can’t stop here. Bills like the First Responders Wellness Act and the CARE for First Responders Act are only the beginning. To make real change, we need to ensure these efforts are not only passed but also expanded upon and adequately funded.

    Mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for the longevity and well-being of the people who protect us. Without proper support, first responders face increased risks of burnout, PTSD, depression, substance use, and even suicide.

    What Can We Do?

    As I’ve shared before, first responders have a unique and powerful voice in policy advocacy. Here’s how we can ensure these bills move forward and inspire further action:

    1. Contact Your Representatives

    Share your story and explain why these bills matter. Personal accounts from first responders carry immense weight in demonstrating the need for change.

    2. Raise Awareness

    Use your platform, whether it’s social media, local meetings, or community events, to inform others about these legislative efforts.

    3. Collaborate

    Partner with advocacy organizations focused on first responder mental health. Groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and local firefighter and EMS unions are often at the forefront of these battles.

    4. Stay Engaged

    Track the progress of these bills and hold your representatives accountable. If progress stalls, follow up.

    A Call to Action

    The time for action is now. Legislative momentum can waver without visible public support. It’s up to us to keep the conversation alive, push for better mental health resources, and ensure that the government invests in the well-being of first responders.

    We must continue to demand more—not just for the passage of these bills, but for the expansion and funding of mental health initiatives across the board. When we advocate for ourselves and our peers, we create a safer, healthier future for everyone.

    Let’s raise our voices together and ensure that these critical efforts become law. The well-being of our first responders depends on it.

    If you’re unsure where to start with policy advocacy, check out my previous post on how first responders can get involved. Let’s make our voices heard!

  • My “Why”: Finding Purpose in the Chaos and Giving Back to the First Responder Community

    My “Why”: Finding Purpose in the Chaos and Giving Back to the First Responder Community

    For many of us, the “why” behind choosing a career in emergency services is deeply personal. For me, my “why” began long before I was born. My mother is alive today because of the skill and quick action of EMS personnel.

    At just 18 years old, she lost her leg in a motorcycle accident, and at 21, she was hit by a train in South Paris, Maine. Both times, EMS stabilized her and transported her to safety. Without their intervention, she wouldn’t have survived, and I wouldn’t even exist.

    Growing up, my mom taught me strength, resilience, and patience. I have never known her without a prosthetic, but she never let it define her. At age nine, I saw her endure yet another life-altering accident when a driver hydroplaned into her at a red light, sending her car into an eight-foot ditch. She broke both her lumbar and cervical spine that day, and her long recovery was grueling, but she remained an inspiration to everyone around her.

    My connection to EMS runs even deeper because of my own emergencies. At 14, I fell off a 40-foot cliff at Screw Auger Falls and was carried up a ravine to meet EMS at a gas station. At 16, a 10×2-inch beam struck the top of my head, leaving me with a serious concussion that complicated my breathing and required intubation. I was LifeFlighted to Maine Medical Center and placed in a chemically-induced coma for several days. In college, an asthma attack caused by chemical exposure left me unconscious. EMS personnel performed CPR and intubated me, saving my life once again.

    These experiences taught me the importance of compassionate, skilled emergency response. They ignited a passion in me to serve my community and give back to the very system that had saved my life and the life of my mother.

    But my “why” didn’t stop there.

    As a first responder, I’ve come to see that the hardest battles we face aren’t just in the field—they’re within us. I was profoundly impacted by two funerals in our EMS community: Sawyer Coleman and Scott Latulippe, both of whom died by suicide. Their losses sent ripples through the first responder world, highlighting the urgent need for mental health awareness in our profession. These tragedies solidified my drive to create a platform to advocate for the mental health of first responders and to normalize seeking help.

    This is why I started Mind Over Mayday. My blog is a space where first responders can explore their struggles, find resources, and reconnect with their purpose.

    Your ‘why’ is your anchor. It’s the reason you keep going when the job feels too heavy, when burnout looms, or when the trauma you carry feels too much to bear. I invite you to reflect on your own “why.”

    How to Reconnect with Your Why

    1. Journaling Your Story:
      Write about the experiences that inspired you to serve. What moments stand out as reminders of why you continue?
    2. Finding Purpose Beyond the Job:
      Volunteer, mentor, or participate in community outreach. Giving back in different ways can reignite your passion.
    3. Prioritizing Your Mental Health:
      Attend workshops, connect with peer support programs, or talk to a professional.
    4. Sharing Your Why:
      Share your story with others. Your “why” might inspire someone else to rediscover theirs.

    First responders are heroes, but we’re also human. Together, we can support one another, honor our “why,” and build a culture that values both service and well-being.

    What’s your story? Let’s start the conversation. Together, we can reignite the fire that drives us to serve.