Burnout
Jason Salazar
January 13, 2025
Being a First Responder is not an easy job. It is rewarding but takes a toll physically and can drastically increase your stress.
It’s selfless work by nature, and your first thought is to help others. You absorb trauma mentally and physically. You never see people on a good day, and that can take a large mental toll on you.
As first responders, we tend to put others first before us. What happens when we stop taking care of ourselves?
Consider this concerning statistic:
According to a CDC study called “Suicides Among First Responders: A Call to Action” it was noted that EMS workers are 1.39 more times likely to commit suicide than the public.
There is no denying that there is another epidemic outside of COVID-19, drug abuse and many others going through the country. This epidemic is different as it is pervasive with our first responders. It’s never an easy subject to discuss; it can be taboo in this industry and may leave responders feeling “weak” or scared of losing their job if they talk about mental health. It is imperative to have an open line of communication with loved ones and trusted co-workers.
Let’s start with what the definition of burnout is. According to the World Health Organization, it is defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”.
What can cause burnout?
Maybe you have been on nights shift for 10 years and are not getting enough sleep, you are on a busy shift that sees a lot of calls and are not properly dealing with what you see every day, or you simply feel that you are in a rut and not doing anything new in your career.
It is no surprise that this job brings on tremendous stress. Most shifts are long, tiring, physically and emotionally exhausting.
Let’s talk about some ways to combat that stress:
- Talk about it may sound like a simple statement, but simply talking- helps reduce the mental baggage you are carrying. It is important to talk through what may be going on mentally, keeping your loved ones in the loop as well as a trusted coworker. This can lead to more opportunities to help combat stress and burnout. Talking through your stress can help compartmentalize your thoughts.
- Work out- Exercise is proven to reduce stress. It not only helps stress but also keeps you in shape. It is a physically demanding job, so staying fit and taking care of your body will make you feel better and help prevent injuries.
- Get outside- Being outdoors puts your mind in another perspective; you can take a run, walk, or go on a bike ride. This can help break up the usual routine in your life. Also, the sun naturally helps the body release endorphins which helps with depression.
- Know what resources are out there and what your company provides for mental health resources or overall wellness plans. You never know until you ask; these can include counseling, gym memberships and other resources!
- Talk with your supervisor if you are feeling burned out. This may lead to different opportunities such as a different position; or shift to help you.
- Lastly and most importantly, take care of yourself.
You matter, your life matters, your family matters. Let’s together bring down the statistics and combat burnout!
Help is available:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline- 988+
For more information on this topic, listen to our podcast, Let’s Break The Stigma.
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