Mental Health Symptoms, Stressors, and Coping An Exploration of First Responder Experiences Working in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas
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Abstract
EMS first responders provide essential services to communities in rural, suburban, and urban locations across the United States. While the mental health experiences of first responders have been generalized across all geographic locations, less is known about the mental health differences among rural, suburban, and urban first responders. This study explored mental health symptom profiles, job stressors, coping mechanisms, and mental health resource availability of 118 first responders providing services in rural, suburban, and urban locations throughout Oregon. First responder agencies across Oregon were contacted by researchers and asked to distribute the electronic survey. First responders who received a survey link volunteered to anonymously participate in the study. Findings indicate common challenges as well as unique differences among first responders in different geographic locations. First, mental health profiles of the participants were provided. Symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and bipolar disorder were present in participants. Depression, generalized anxiety, and PTSD was more evident in first responders in urban/suburban areas, while risk of suicide was more prevalent in rural first responders. Second, three primary themes of stressors were identified (along with a fourth “other” category): 1) larger societal stressors impacting first responders; 2) job-related stressors; mental health, relational, and 3) financial stressors from being a first responder. Sub-categories within themes ranged from organizational, patient-related, and position-specific stressors to financial, intrapersonal, and interpersonal stressors. Two themes of stress management were identified: function/purpose of coping strategies and coping strategies without an identified function/purpose. Suggestions, from respondents and authors, for EMS agencies are provided throughout. Future research is outlined.
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