By FireRescue1 Staff
BURLINGTON, Ky. — A firefighter who sought treatment for suicidal thoughts is encouraging other first responders to do the same.
WCPO reported that firefighter Phil Hall, who chose his profession because he loves to save lives, never thought he’d want to end his own.
“The stuff just starts piling up, right?” he said. "(You think) the only way to stop all the nightmares, the flashbacks, and all the other life stresses that pile up on you is to tap out.”
Hall began treatment for PTSD at the University of Cincinnati Health Stress Center after his friends connected him to the center, and he found a healthier way to deal with the trauma.
“It helped save my life,” he said.
Hall is now urging other firefighters to not feel ashamed and to seek help in dealing with the high stress that come with the job.
“You’re not alone, if you’re out there,” Hall said. “You’re not alone.”
A study conducted by the Ruderman Family Foundation found that first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
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