City of Rio Rancho issued the following announcement on Sept. 11.
September is Suicide Prevention Month and Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue (RRFR) is working to raise awareness and increase educational outreach to help reduce the number of firefighter deaths by suicide.
Throughout their careers, firefighters and other first responders are repeatedly exposed to traumatic incidents, such as witnessing the pain, suffering, and even deaths of medical and trauma patients, as well as the destruction of property. Due to career-related stress and high exposure to trauma, firefighters are at an increased risk of dying by suicide.
The Yellow Rose Campaign (YRC), which was developed by the Michigan Fire Chiefs Association in 2018, is an organized effort to share best practices for creating a work environment that is supportive of emotional wellness issues. Last year the New Mexico Fire Chiefs Association was the second state organization to adopt the YRC.
Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue, along with the local firefighters’ union, IAFF 4877, have come together to create a labor/management initiative to help bring awareness to this issue. For the YRC, RRFR firefighters are asked to take a voluntary pledge to be supportive of each other and to destigmatize mental health issues. This open approach is aimed at raising awareness and creating an environment of openness for discussion and acceptance when a firefighter reaches out for help. Currently RRFR has a support system in place for firefighters, which includes trained Peer Support Team members, a Chaplain program, and an Employee Assistance Program that specializes in mental health support first responders.
The breaking down of cultural and traditional barriers associated with mental health has been a difficult challenge for the leadership of fire departments. RRFR Fire Chief Paul Bearce added, “although the Yellow Rose Campaign involves a symbolic pledge, it helps bring about an open discussion among firefighters and lets everyone know that it is OK to ask for help. By showing solidarity between our command staff and the firefighters who are responding to calls every day, we can tackle this problem together.”
“While we do not like to talk about suicide because of the uneasiness that the word alone creates, we cannot ignore the increase in firefighter suicides across the country. We need to openly have those hard conversations and reach out to our brothers and sisters in order to help prevent suicides and promote mental wellness for our members. Our job is an emotionally and mentally debilitating occupation and our members need all of the support and assistance we can find. Local 4877 and RRFR administration coming together through the Yellow Rose Campaign is an initiative that we are excited to be a part of,” said Local 4877 President Chris Mandeville.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 48,344 Americans died by suicide in 2018 with over 1.4M suicide attempts. New Mexico ranks first in the country for suicide deaths. It is important to note that everyone can make a difference by being open to listen, help in the efforts to destigmatize mental health disease, and realize that it is normal to feel stressed, especially during these unprecedented times of COVID-19. According to a 2019 article in Psychology Today, the health of the mind is just as important as the health of the body. There are also numerous resources available to all New Mexico residents, including the NM Crisis and Access Line. This is a 24/7/365 resource for anyone asking for help. You can contact them at 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474), or via the website at https://www.nmcrisisline.com/.
Fire departments across the country, as well as in our region have experienced active members of their department die by suicide. There are some reports that firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. The firefighters of RRFR have committed to helping their brothers and sisters by creating an environment of openness and acceptance through the YRC.
Original source can be found here.
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