A new report from the University of Newcastle (Australia) takes a look at psychological trauma among firefighters in Victoria. The report says trauma may be leading to suicide, alcohol abuse, and depression, according to the Newcastle Herald (http://bit.ly/Xj8vWc).
The university report, which was written by research professor William Mitchell and research fellow Beth Cook, warns that “given the psychological impact of firefighting–higher prevalence of PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], depression, anxiety, and alcohol or drug use–there is a probability that firefighters may be more likely to commit suicide.”
Peter Marshall–secretary of the firefighters union, which commissioned the report–said existing support programs for firefighters were inadequate, and that budget cuts to the country’s fire services was making the problem worse.
Read more about the report at http://bit.ly/Xj8vWc.
For more on post-traumatic stress in firefighters, consider Research: 90 Percent of Firefighters Show Signs of PTSD ,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: One Firefighter’s Story, and UNDERSTANDING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
