I’ve been in emergency medical services for nearly 30 years. In that time, I’ve responded to catastrophic accidents and medical emergencies of every kind. I’ve treated victims of war, terror, and violent crime—arriving at scenes that defy human comprehension.
Early in my career, one of those scenes was a bus bombing in Jerusalem. The bus was full of kids. As I stepped toward the wreckage, I felt myself detach—like I was floating outside my own body, hearing myself speak but not making sense. I froze. I couldn’t move.
Until my partner put a hand on my shoulder and said, “You’re with me. It’s okay.” That short moment of connection brought me back—and it taught me something I’ve carried ever since: We don’t get through this alone.
Despite the growing availability of mental health programs for first responders, too many paramedics and EMS professionals still carry the weight of traumatic calls in silence—and the toll is brutal. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey found that 85% of first responders show symptoms of mental health strain.
Yet 70% say they almost never use mental health services. Why? Fear. More than half believe asking for help could backfire, with 40% specifically afraid of being demoted or even fired if they speak up.
But here’s the reality: Not talking about trauma doesn’t make it go away. It just sends it underground—where it continues to do damage to our families, our teams, and ourselves.
That’s why we, the life savers, need to start making each other’s mental health a priority. There is more we can do, and it starts from within our own ranks.
Read more on the Journal of Emergency Medical Services>>
