Understanding Depression in Firefighters: Risks & Support

Firefighters are at high risk for depressive illness secondary to their routine exposure to emotional traumas inherent in their line of work. Secondary factors can include lack of administrative and supervisory support and the availability of familial and other extra-departmental support.

Depression is Common with PTSD

• Depressive symptoms are frequently associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can occur in anyone following an emotionally disturbing or threatening event.

Routine Exposure to Traumatic Events

• Firefighters and other emergency service workers commonly experience scenes that most people would consider traumatic, such as murder, domestic violence and grisly accidents.

Higher Incidence in Firefighters

• An often-cited statistic is that approximately 9.5 percent of Americans will experience significant depression in any given year. A study of German firefighters reported in "The American Journal of Psychiatry" demonstrated an 18.2 percent rate of PTSD with its associated illnesses, including depression.

More Stress Equals More Depression

• Traumatic stress is a solid predictor of depression.

Specific Risks

• Longer job experience and the number of recent exposures to potentially traumatic events are risk factors for PTSD and depression in firefighters.

Peer Counseling

• A New York City firefighter, Jimmy Brown, is developing a peer counseling program to help firefighters and police officers better cope with stress and depression.