ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — 6,000 first responders participated in a mental health needs assessment survey conducted by the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
“Overall, people are struggling with anxiety, people are struggling with depression,” Commissioner Jackie Bray explained. “38% suffered from symptoms of her PTSD.”
Chief Bray said this is understandable given the tremendous stress and trauma first responders undergo on a daily basis.
“For me, the most upsetting thing was that 16% of first responders had considered suicide. That’s about 4% of the general population in New York State. That was surprising to me. ,” Bray said.
Respondents indicated that there is a sigma to get help.
Psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr. Andrew Barry said asking for help is often one of the most difficult things a person can do.
“They are afraid of being judged, of being given a bad assignment at work, of not getting an assignment, of being left out, and of working together for a long time and feeling very close and safe. They fear being effectively kicked out of their communities,” Berry explained.
More than 90% said free and easily accessible services like therapy and peer support groups improve the mental health of first responders.
“I think we need to work with leaders in the first responder community to establish a culture that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help and, in fact, it’s okay for mental health. If you get help, you’ll come out stronger than if you didn’t get help,” Bray said.
The state has mental health services such as NY CARES UP, a program specifically designed to help first responders. https://nycaresup.com/
Anyone who needs help can call or text the state’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/crisis/988.html
