Part 4: Asking for Backup. Behind the Badge: The Hidden Epidemic Among First Responders — And the Bay Area Therapist Fighting It. Part 4: Asking for Backup — Getting Help Without Fear
- Janelle Brady, MS, LMFT
- Aug 21
- 5 min read
Part 4: Asking for Backup — Getting Help Without Fear
First responders know when to call for backup — but asking for help for themselves?
That’s often the hardest call to make.
Whether you're a paramedic who's seen one overdose too many, a firefighter haunted by a rescue that came too late, or a police officer running on emotional fumes — you deserve support. And you shouldn’t have to risk your career or reputation to get it.
This post breaks down how to access help safely, confidentially, and without judgment. Because no one should have to suffer in silence — especially the people we count on the most.
Why Don’t More First Responders Reach Out?
Even though rates of trauma and stress injuries are high among first responders, most never get the help they need... But…Why?
Here’s what many often fear:
"Will this be confidential?"
"Will I be taken off the job?"
"Will people think I’m weak or unstable?"
"Will this affect my pension or career path?"
These concerns are real — and valid — but the truth is: YOU CAN GET HELP without sacrificing your role. And there are systems in place designed to protect you.
What Getting Help Actually Looks Like
You don’t have to wait until you’re in crisis. Seeking support is a proactive, protective move — like wearing a vest or checking your gear.
Here’s what reaching out might involve:
A confidential call to a mental health provider
An appointment through your department’s EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
A conversation with a peer support officer
Connecting with a trauma-informed therapist who specializes in first responders
You’re not signing up for a diagnosis or punishment. You’re signing up for clarity, healing, and strength.
Call to Action:
If this post made you pause — that’s your sign.
Bookmark a therapist.
Call a hotline.
Start a conversation with someone you trust.
And if you're in a leadership role? Make sure your team knows these resources are OK to use.
Know Your Options
1. Therapists & Counselors
Look for those trained in trauma, EMDR, or first responder care
Many offer off-duty hours or telehealth sessions
2. Confidential Hotlines
Safe Call Now: 1-206-459-3020 (24/7, specifically for public safety professionals)
National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
Fire/EMS Helpline (Share the Load): 1-888-731-3473
3. Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Often include free, short-term therapy sessions
Ask your HR rep or union steward for anonymous access
4. Peer Support Teams
These are your colleagues trained to support mental health
They “get it” because they’ve been through it too
What About Confidentiality?
Mental health providers such as LMFTs and LCSWs, including those who work with first responders, are legally bound to protect your privacy (PHI).
The only exceptions typically involve imminent danger to yourself or others.
You won’t lose your job for going to therapy. In fact, many departments are starting to require mental health check-ins after critical incidents, because mental and behavioral health is imperative in such stressful lines of work.
Real Talk from the Field
“I didn’t want to go to therapy. I thought it meant I was broken. But I was at the point where I couldn’t even look at my wife or kids without feeling like a stranger. Talking to someone gave me my family back. I wish I had done it years ago.”— Anonymous Firefighter
Next Up:
In Part 5, we’ll wrap up the series by exploring how we can create a culture shift — one where first responders don’t just survive their jobs, but truly thrive, mentally and emotionally.
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A free consultation with a Therapist in Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek, CA.
Are you looking for a compassionate and effective therapist in the Pleasant Hill / Walnut Creek, CA area to overcome depression? I’m not the therapist that will ask you how you feel every day. Instead, we work together as a team to make concrete improvements in reducing your symptoms and enjoying life again.
As an experienced practitioner with 15 years of experience and a background in Applied Behavior Analysis, I often implement data tracking, ensuring clinical progression & increasing your awareness in your growth. I specialize in providing supportive therapy with a touch of humor. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, trained in EMDR, & evidenced based techniques including CBT & DBT to help facilitate your treatment goals with a solution focused approach.
Specialties include depression, anxiety, autism, trauma, ABA, and IEP consultations.
Like what we talked about today? Check out related articles:
Click below for additional specific resources for First Responders:
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STATISTICS:
FROM 2017 – 2021:
511 OFFICERS WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
756 OFFICERS DIED BY SUICIDE
From 2017 to 2021, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) program reported 511 officers were killed in the line of duty (270 feloniously and 241 accidentally).
During the same 5-year span, First H.E.L.P. — a nonprofit that started collecting law enforcement suicide data in 2016 — reported 756 officer suicides.
That number is nearly three times higher than that of feloniously killed officers.
This data suggests that officers are more likely to kill themselves than to be killed in the line of duty. Suicide in the law enforcement community has become an epidemic, and these brave men and women need help.
As a result, in May 2020, Congress passed the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection (LESDC) Act to generate an understanding of suicide in law enforcement and help prevent future deaths.
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STUDIES SHOW:
30% of First Responders Develop Behavioral Health Conditions
Approximately 30% of first responders develop behavioral health conditions, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to 20% in the general population.
This disparity underscores the heightened mental health risks associated with emergency response professions.
In 2020, 116 police officers died by suicide while 113 died in the line of duty (Stanton, 2022).
In 2021, that number rose to 150 officers dying by suicide (Leone, 2022).
Law enforcement officers have a 54% increase in suicide risk when compared to the civilian population (McAward, 2022).
Suicide rates among EMTs and firefighters are significantly higher than average.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, including EMTs and firefighters, experience significantly higher proportionate mortality ratios for suicide than the general population.
For instance, EMS providers have been shown to have suicide rates ranging from 17.2 to 30.5 per 100,000, compared to the general population's rate of 13.0 per 100,000. Prevalence of Suicide Risk Factors among Emergency Medical Services Providers in Utah
Additionally, a study found that firefighters and EMTs had significantly higher proportionate mortality ratios for suicide compared to the general U.S. working population.
Police officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
For example, in 2017, 140 police officers died by suicide, while 129 died in the line of duty.
This trend continued in subsequent years, highlighting the persistent mental health challenges within the profession.
Furthermore, police officers have a 54% increased risk of suicide compared to the civilian population. Boston University
These numbers are staggering — but they only scratch the surface. Many cases go unreported because of the deep stigma within the profession.
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RESOURCES:
Mental Disorders and Mental Health Promotion In Police Officers - PMC
5 Reasons the Mental Health Of Police Officers Needs To Be A Priority | Walden University
LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT (LEMHWA) PROGRAM | COPS OFFICE
New NAMI Cope Mental Health Program To Support California Police Officers - NAMI California
Prevalence Of Mental Illness and Mental Health Care Use Among Police Officers - PMC
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