First responders falling through the cracks: EMTs battle PTSD, depression on the job | Nightline 

I am an ocean lifeguard and military rescue swimmer. PTSD in first responders and other emergency workers is a real deal. I am eternally passionate about what I do and I can't see myself ever stopping. But the quint essence of it all is, that you are with people on the worst day of their lives every day. But you can never ever have a "worst day of your life" yourself. As mentioned in the video, there is nobody to back you up, because you're already the backup. No therapist in the world can reach those images that are etched in your mind, because they've never seen anything like it. You have to learn self rescue and have a good community under your workmates to not go under yourself.

Volunteer ambulance driver here, I don’t even treat people and I still see truly traumatic instances which keeps me up at night for sure

Virginia EMT here, going on year 3. Your not alone. Much respect for all of you.

Had my mandated 12 hour shift yesterday for the NREMT, got a call an hour before shift was over for someone who wasn't breathing. I fumbled the LUCAS, didn't have a lot of training because of a fast track system we have. Didn't know how to get the BVM ready, dropped almost everything I picked up to pass to my preceptor, didn't know where stuff was in our airway bag because I didn't get a chance to familiarize myself with where everything was. We worked the patient for over half an hour even though he had a DNR, because their spouse wasn't ready to lose them. They didn't make it. I blamed myself, I blamed their family, I blamed my school for not giving me enough time to learn what I needed to learn to save the patient. What I didn't realize is that it's an essential experience for anyone in the medical field and I happened to get it my first day of field training. I'll never forget the way their room smelled, the look on their face, how hot the house was, how angry my preceptor was, and how sorry he was after it was over. I thought I'd gotten all my tears out, but I woke up this morning and started bawling again and curled against my girlfriend for support. Please tell the people in your life how you feel about them. You don't know when it'll help them get through tough times.

I have been a paramedic for 28 years and it has ruined my life with ptsd

always had mad respect for EMS and fire response

Texas state EMT here. 16 yrs on the truck. Stay safe out there people. ❤️

17 years in EMS and 3 years in 911 dispatch. I am truly fucked.

Coming from PTSD and d epre ssion, I feel like I am hardened to PSTD. I feel like I am being called to this. Enough about me, let us talk about those who endure this everyday, 4:40 I respect his woman for her program to help those who are in this field. God bless mam,, G od bless. When I tell jobs I have PTSD they look at me different, I undersand. To anyone with PTSD, they do not matter, you do and what 'some' others do matters, God will see you through. That man interviewing was not a probing ahole, he was respectful. Thank you sir. 3:38 you got more tears from me man, coming from a broken home. 4:44 love this woman's mind and heart, she saved lives.

11 years in and out of emergency medical services. Firefighter/EMT, Private Security EMT, and finally Advanced Life Support. I quit my career in critical care. I took a year off to try to work outside the medical field. I went completely insane and was basically forced into medical leave from severe PTSD. I am now in entry level nursing. I am leagues more skilled than anyone I work with, but I still suffer, and years of therapy haven't helped. Only the medication to keep the debilitating panic attacks under control, does anything for me.

4 years in EMS broke me. I know its not many years. I had to stop and I feel like a coward.

One thing that will definitely help those struggling is if, as a society, we collectively start telling ourselves and each other to open up and share whatever it is we’re feeling/struggling with, rather than this toxic mindset of “put it inside and move on.“; a fat lot of good the latter has done over the years/generations.

get with a therapist!!!! lets help you understand your trauma, get you informed on supports and relationships, and show u how to lead a full healthy life! i work with EMTS AND FIREFIGHTERS and yall are loved!

For paramedics and EMT's, there is very little down time because the pay is so low there is no room to take time off and pay the bills

Been in EMS for the last 5 years 2 almost 3 as an EMT and just about 2 and a half as a paramedic. The one thing that has saved me is being autistic. Weirdly enough. You wouldn't be able to tell if you only met me for 45 minutes of my life. But after a time you would know. I have emotions but I process them different. When a critical call drops amongst the chaos I just heard silence and peace. I have no emotions during or after the call. It's just a call. There will be another

I worry about my son and his girlfriend. He is a police officer she is EMT first responder. They only knew each other 6 months until she became pregnant. Now with 2 small children they are having problems with daycare. His last girlfriend found out about his new girl. She went straight home and packed her things. We spoke after their breakup. She informed me he went crazy and tried to kill himself. He has admitted to me that he drinks regularly and has an anger problem. This troubles me knowing if he can't handle the girlfriend leaving him with no children attached. What will he do when she decides to leave while in school to become a NP.

I have struggled to set up healthy habits outside of full time paramedic work. I do 24hr on and 48 off. I have been paramedic level for 2 years almost and am feeling burnt out. This next year I am to just do local level EMS at advanced EMT level, just as a side job and find something else full time

Thanks for the news 🙏

We ever going to address that Covid was totally overblown ( The CDC itself has admitted..at least TWICE the numbers were overhyped and the majority of measures taken were not needed) and the effect that had on first responders?

I been the Firefighter Volunteer for 7 years Lucky for me I retire as Youngster

Illinois EMT. Just began my career.

Incredible ❤

🙏🏽

Psychedelic Mushrooms

You can save some people sometime, but ya can’t save all the people all the time.

Is what going to happen when go for bar exam in EMS suicidal with lots of hours of training

What a joke no one gives a damn ! Down time!? lmao !! Good jokes buddy!!

Oh no 😩

They absolutely will f***ing ruin your career if you open up. So if you're willing to play Russian Roulette with your career, then go ahead & open up!!!!!!

I seem to know but what is he mother answer nature .

We could have just paid people to stay home

Covid-19 is the least of my worries.

It’s only been six months and the mask is starting to slip…. I’m hurting

Me

"covid" lol. yeah because that was a huge threat

To

This is news?

Early

I would be depressed too, if I worked for Satan.

I’ve been working as a nurse in our prisons as a frontline responder. Our Dems don’t give a dam! I’m dealing with so much, with loss of life and work non stop. The Dems don’t give a dam!

This is the job they chose to do STOP whining!! if they can't handle it find someone else to do!!! I my self was a cemetery caretaker for 2 cemetery's a private+a Veteran's so I have seen DEATH up close and personal& saw the stuff that NO One talk's about devices that fail and caskets flip & open up, I even have disinturned a child's bones to re buari it when the mother finally died ! Plus a lot more gruesome things that only cemetery workers know about The thing is is to DETACH from it it is a JOB if it is getting to thea's people so much it is TIME to change & rethink there CARE'S!! & STOP Whining about it!! It is so much fun posting comments and watching people FREEK OUT !!!🤣🤣🤣🤷

Man up

Virginia EMT here, going on year 3. Your not alone. Much respect for all of you.