Kimmell 1

Hanna Kimmell
Crist
English 4
25 February 2016

Depression and Suicide in EMS

Many people do not think about depression when they think about joining a job in
Emergency Medical Services. One worker stated depression was easy to deny. I never felt
suicidal, never had feelings of worthlessness, never wallowed in the proverbial dark pit of
despair. I just had nothing. No energy. No creative spark (Grayson). Many people who
have depression who work in EMS do not even know they do. A person who wants to become an
EMS worker may want to research and become aware of the impacts that working could have on
stress and depression. There are many causes to depression in EMS such as PTSD and anxiety
which can lead to major outcomes such as suicide.
Not only can Military Personels get PTSD but so can EMS workers. Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that is caused by a
traumatizing event. A person may have a rough day and witness many injuries. They may think it
did not affect them but later on they may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and major anxiety.
There are ways to cope with PTSD but often times it leads to depression and lack of motivation
because they are too scared to do anything.
Grayson never thought that he would be someone to develop anxiety from work. The
constant looking at injured and people in distress can make a person nervous and anxious about

Kimmell 2

if they are doing their job right or if they can even accomplish their job. This can lead to workers
being sad and dreading going to work in fear of messing something up and causing another
anxiety attack. When EMS workers become sad it begins to affect their work ethic. According to
Michael Chapman, It is important to maintain good ethics in while working in the medical field
because if you do not you could end up in major lawsuits and legal battles.
Depression may not be as severe to some as it is to others. To others if may result in
recovery but to others they never get their happy ending. According to a recent survey 66% of
EMS workers have admitted they have attempted suicide while 37% have contemplated it
(Newland). Not everyone knows how to cope with depression and it ends badly for those people
but not everyone has to end that way. There are many programs and groups to help people
suffering with depression from work in the Medical field. All people have to do is accept the fact
that they need help, which can be more difficult than having depression itself, and find help.
EMS is a very stressful job and can lead to anxiety, PTSD, and many more conditions. If
not treated they can lead to depression. Depression is very serious and no one should ever try to
ignore and deny it. No one should have to cope with depression alone because it can be
dangerous. Too many people have taken their lives because of not being able to understand and
seek the help they need.

Works Cited

Kimmell 3

Chapman, Michael. "EMS." Personal interview. 10 Mar. 2016.

Grayson, Kelly. "True Confessions of a Clinically Depressed Medic." EMS1. Web. 03 Mar.
2016.
Newland, Chad. "Survey Reveals Alarming Rates of EMS Provider Stress and Thoughts of
Suicide." - Journal of Emergency Medical Services. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.