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County Supervisors Address Suicide Among First Responders, Emergency Personnel

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors discussed a motion Tuesday to review current policies, programs and services that address suicide prevention for first responders.


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The motion also called for review of services related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), secondary trauma and mental health care, as well as education and outreach for first responders, emergency room personnel and crime scene personnel.

“It is seldom acknowledged that those who serve in this capacity regularly experience death, trauma and tragedy, sometimes on a daily basis,” read the motion. “The repeated exposure to these traumatic incidents can have a serious and lasting impact on the mental health of these employees. “

Authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Santa Clarita as part of the Fifth District, the motion calls for the Chief Executive Officer to work with the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department, Probation, the Chief Medical Examiner/Coroner, the Mental Health Department, labor partners and other relevant stakeholders to report back to the Board of Supervisors in 90 days, according to Barger.

The number of firefighters and law enforcement officers who took their own lives outnumbered all line-of-duty deaths in 2017, according to a recent report published by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

“These brave men and women face extremely tough situations every day, sacrificing so much to save the lives of others – they deserve our help to save theirs,” said Barger.

The report also says that not enough agencies have programs and policies in place to address suicide prevention.

“Silence can be deadly, because it is interpreted as a lack of acceptance that prevents first responders from accessing potentially life-saving mental health services,” read the report.

The update in 90 days will include a collaborative and comprehensive plan to address and mitigate mental health issues and suicide among first responders resulting from job-related stress and trauma.

It will also examine data, best practices and research from experts concerning the unique issues related to suicide by first responders in order to improve protocols and policies. This includes training for peers and superiors to help recognize the warning signs of suicide and trauma, and extensive public education and outreach, according to Barger.

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County Supervisors Address Suicide Among First Responders, Emergency Personnel

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About Lorena Mejia

Lorena was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She attended California State University Northridge where she double majored in Journalism and Chicano Studies and minored in Spanish Language Journalism. While at CSUN, she worked for the university's television and radio newscast. Through her journalistic work, she earned membership to Kappa Tau Alpha, a national honor society for selected journalists. Her passion for the community has introduced her to new people, ideas, and issues that have helped shape the person she is today. Lorena’s skills include using cameras as a tool to empower people by informing them and creating change in their communities. Some of her hobbies include reading the news, exploring the outdoors, and being an avid animal lover. To contact Lorena, send your messages to lorena@hometownstation.com.