According to the CDC, Emergency Medical Service responders are at a higher risk for suicide.
Overton County EMT Roy Gore has served for forty years and he said the work takes a mental toll. Gore started in EMS right out of high school. Early in his career he was called to an accident scene were he discovered his aunt had been hit by a drunk driver.
“In the life of EMS any kind of medical profession, you hold a person’s life in your hands,” Gore said. “And there’s just some days and some calls, no matter what you do you can’t fix it. Even though how bad you want to you just can’t fix it. And it really starts eating at you.”
Gore said losing his aunt in that situation caused him to leave emergency services for a time. But he came back. Gore said he wants to be there for his community. He said he has always felt that way.
“Whether it be as simple as a cut finger to a broken leg,” Gore said. ” I want to make sure that I’m there to give every possibility to make their life more pleasant.”
Nevertheless, Gore said it is the most mentally demanding work he has ever done.
“I tell all these young kids, you’re going to have family, friends you’re going to cross paths with them somewhere along the way,” Gore said. “I tell them to talk. Don’t bottle it up inside. Don’t let it stay in your mind and keep building and building.”
Gore said it isn’t just EMT personnel at higher risk for suicide, he said all emergency medical personnel suffer from the stress. And he said they are more likely to bottle it up.
“You need to have someone to open up to and relieve that stress,” Gore said.
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