Mental Health Results by Discipline

Overview

The pervasive, chronic stress of first responders’ work can impact their mental health and well-being, as well as place them at risk of mental health challenges. Below are findings about mental health challenges that first responders faced personally because of their work. Results are based on a survey sample of more than 6,000 first responders in NYS. This data is self-reported and does not necessarily reflect an official diagnosis.

Emergency Medical Services

Graphic showing mental health results for EMS
The Unsung Heroes - Mental Health in Emergency Medical Services: 69 percent experience stress; 13 percent experience substance abuse; 55 percent experience anxiety; 37 percent experience PTSD; 39 percent experience depression; and 64 percent experience burnout.

Fire Service

Graphic showing mental health results for Fire Service
Battling Internal Fires - Mental Health in the Fire Service: 61% experience stress; 29% experience PTSD; 52 percent experience burnout; 9 percent experience substance abuse; 30 percent experience depression; 45 percent experience anxiety.

Emergency Communications

Graphic showing mental health results for Emergency Communications
Forgotten First Responder - Mental Health in Emergency Communications: 65 percent experience anxiety; 49 percent experience depression; 41 percent experience PTSD; 80 percent experience stress; 75 percent experience burnout; and 11 percent experience substance abuse.

Emergency Management

Graphic showing mental health results for Emergency Management
Managing the Chaos Within - Mental Health in Emergency Management: 75 percent experience stress; 33 percent experience PTSD; 52 percent experience anxiety; 11 percent experience substance abuse; 34 percent experience depression; and 72 percent experience burnout.

Law Enforcement

Graphic showing mental health results for Law Enforcement
Suffering in Silence - Mental Health in Law Enforcement: 11 percent experience substance abuse; 79 percent experience stress; 31 percent experience PTSD; 58 percent experience anxiety; 65 percent experience burnout; and 37 percent experience depression.

Partnership

DHSES, in partnership with the Institute for Disaster Mental Health and the Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz, recently released the official report for New York’s inaugural first responder Mental Health Needs Assessment.

To access the final report, please click here or scan the QR code below.

If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to talk with a counselor, available 24/7/365.

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