First responders talk mental health

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI)- First responders are the first to make sure you’re taken care of when it comes to a trauma, but who is taking care of them.

Andrew Juden with the Cape Girardeau Fire Department says the first step to getting help is recognizing there’s a problem.

“There’s a lot of resources available to the first responders program,” said Juden.

The Cape Fire Department has a peer support program that is available through membership. It helps them deal with the toll that comes with being a first responder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the pressure may increase the possibility for suicide.

“Some of the rates in the fire services is anywhere from 100 to 200 firefighters commit suicide on an annual basis,” said Juden.

He adds that part of the process is sitting down, face to face and talking about the issues making sure responders are getting the treatment they need.

“Some of the steps are just getting them to those specialty resource centers, getting them in front of those counselors,” he said.

The City of Cape partnered with Great Oaks Counseling for all city first responders to do a two-year check in to help support their mental health.