Suicide Prevention

PTSD is nothing new to public safety. We are finally saying it out loud. For far too long it has been an unwritten rule not to show what some perceived as weakness. Dealing with the things that all public safety agencies have to deal with can and will take a toll. The freedom we have to deal with PTSD determines the outcome. Unfortunately, the negative stigma associated with PTSD keeps many from seeking help. PTSD is not a four-letter cuss word. It is an injury better stated as trauma to the brain. PTSD is not choosy in who it affects. The number of runs made nor size of the department has any bearing. PTSD can onset from one incident or an accumulation of several incidents. PTSD can lay in wait for years and resurface when we least expect it. It was once said that people in public safety learn to pack the bad incidents away in boxes and put them in a closet hoping the lids never come off.

We have to make sure our public safety family knows that it is ok to say I'm not ok. Let's encourage our brothers and sisters to Come in From the Rain.

Chief David Eddins / Waycross, Georgia Fire Department

Here is great video about mental health in Public Safety by Executive Producer Chief David Eddins.

If you or someone you know is in need of help Call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Line

Come In From The Rain