Saturday Star reports that the enormous pressure on police, ambulance workers and firefighters hammers their mental health, with a recent survey showing that 47.3% of them were depressed, 37.8% had generalised anxiety disorder, and 48.5% has PTSD.
Experts warn that the mental health crisis among first responders, including police, paramedics, emergency room nurses and doctors, and firefighters, has reached breaking point. “This is a national emergency hidden in plain sight,” said Dr Alicia Porter of the SA Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). She said workers on the frontline of responding to crime, domestic violence, large-scale road accidents, medical emergencies and natural disasters were disproportionately susceptible to burnout, depression and suicide. “The problem is that they may have pre-existing mental health conditions, but the nature of the work is very unique because their very work environment is actually exposing them to repeated trauma,” Porter pointed out.
The figures are chilling, namely one police suicide every week amounting to 300 in the past seven years and 54 in the 2024/25 reporting period. Porter believes that managers and supervisors should be trained to recognise warning signs, fast-track help, and promote mental wellness. The SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) reports a sharp increase in calls from first responders and their families. Foster Mohale from the National Department of Health said all employees in the department, including EMS personnel, have access to provincial programmes as determined by each province. “This includes wellness response teams, access to chaplains, and health care professionals as needed,” he advised.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anita Nkonki and Wendy Jasson Da Costaat at Saturday Star
- Lees ook, DA waarsku oor selfdoodkrisis onder polisiebeamptes, by Maroela Media
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