An Analysis of Suicides Among First Responders – Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2015–2017

Details

• Personal Author:
  Brown, Margaret M. ; Carson, Leslie M. ; Elkins, Katherine L. ; Marsh, Suzanne M. ; Tiesman, Hope M.
• Description:
  Introduction: First responders, including law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians, and public safety telecommunicators, face unique occupational stressors and may be at elevated risk for suicide. This study characterized suicides among first responders and identifies potential opportunities for additional data collection. Methods: Using suicides identified from the three most recent years of National Violent Death Reporting System data with industry and occupation codes from the NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (2015-2017), decedents were categorized as first responders or non-first responders based on usual occupation. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences in sociodemographic and suicide circumstances between first and non-first responders. Results: First responder decedents made up 1% of all suicides. Over half of first responders (58%) were LEOs, 21% were firefighters, 18% were EMS clinicians, and 2% were public safety telecommunicators. Compared to non-first responder decedents, more first responders served in the military (23% vs. 11%) and used a firearm as the method of injury (69% vs. 44%). Among first responder decedents for whom circumstances were known, intimate partner problems, job problems, and physical health problems were most frequent. Some common risk factors for suicide (history of suicidal thoughts, previous suicide attempt, alcohol/substance abuse problem) were significantly lower among first responders. Selected sociodemographics and characteristics were compared across first responder occupations. Compared to firefighters and EMS clinicians, LEO decedents had slightly lower percentages of depressed mood, mental health problems, history of suicidal thoughts, and history of suicide attempts. Conclusions: While this analysis provides a small glimpse into some of these stressors, more detailed research may help inform future suicide prevention efforts and interventions. Practical application: Understanding stressors and their relation to suicide and suicidal behaviors can facilitate suicide prevention among this critical workforce. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Emergency Responders Firefighters Health Personnel Mental Health Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Suicide Violence Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Suicide Prevention Emergency Medical Services Emergency Medical Services Workers EMS Firefighter Fire Fighters First Responders Health Care Workers Law Enforcement Mental Health Psychological Stress Public Safety Telecommunicator Surveillance Work Environment

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• ISSN:
  0022-4375
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  District of Columbia ; Georgia ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSR - Division of Safety Research
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  10 pdf pages
• Volume:
  85
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20067449
• Citation:
  J Safety Res 2023 Jun; 85:361-370
• Contact Point Address:
  Suzanne M. Marsh, Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1000 Frederick Lane, MS 1808, Morgantown, WV 26508
• Email:
  smm2@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Safety Research
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:91de1caf6a314921f1996670740bd5dd9fa94d7f51e502a29f215681de91a2069701c8f9edab247956e80a9d6d692482510ee04a5ea336c6570f14663a381d98
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/230704/cdc_230704_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 335.62 KB ]