Statistics

A recent study concluded that LEO officers have a 54% increase in suicide risk compared to civilians,

Given their occupational demands.
these helping professionals are the ones who are also the most chronically exposed to stress and traumatic scenes in the line of duty on a daily basis, leading to a variety of mental health issues including PTSD.

Thus, repeated exposure to hard circumstances that arise from crises are, by nature, psychically scarring and elevate the risk for future traumatic events. 

A Department of Defense (DOD) report released in April 2022 shows that suicide among service members is at its highest rate since 1938. 

The Global War on Terror (GWOT) was initiated to secure our nation and combat extremism throughout the world after the devasting 9/11 terrorist attacks. An estimated 3 million Americans served in worldwide GWOT operations in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, and elsewhere.

Due to unprecedented war environments, a staggering number of GWOT veterans have suffered traumatic mental and physical wounds, with studies showing they are taking their lives at a higher rate than veterans of previous wars.

In the last decade our country been challenged with several unprecedented large-scale events such as increases in mass shootings, increases in violence, and pernicious natural disasters.

Although first responders have been trained to engage in extreme conditions amid rapid onset of change circumstances, such trainings do not comprehensively address or provide resources for the post-response mental health needs of these professionals.

Additionally, a recent publication from the Ruderman Family Foundation follows up its initial 2018 report on mental health and suicide of first responders, finding that, “policemen and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.”