Participants Requested for Survey on EMS PTSD and Suicide

Suicide among EMS providers is thought to be increasing.

EMS providers who work in a high-stress environment and who are routinely exposed to critical incident stress are often left to deal with this stress on their own, either because of a lack of effective employer-based programs or a culture that discourages disclosure and treatment.

When left unaddressed, this stress can lead to PTSD, which increases the risk of suicide.Negative coping strategies increases this risk. Positive coping strategies and resilience, on the other hand, can reduce PTSD risk and even contribute to post-traumatic growth (PTG). 

Investigators at Western Kentucky University are requesting participation in a survey on EMS PSTD and suicide. This in-depth survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete, investigates the relationship between PTSD and suicide ideation, and these personal (coping, resilience and PTG) and work (workplace culture and post-incident services) factors among EMS providers.

Results will provide prevalence data on PTSD and suicide ideation, and be used to identify strategies to reduce risk. 

Click here to complete the survey.