When Every Second Counts – Suicide Prevention in Emergency Services

Today on Suicide Prevention Day, we highlight the work with suicide prevention and mental health within municipal emergency services. The Civil Contingencies Agency works within the government's national strategy "It's About Life" to strengthen support for emergency personnel and develop suicide prevention efforts. "No one should feel alone with their difficult impressions and feelings," says Johan Personne, supervisor at Huddinge Fire Station. The agency is one of 27 authorities working on the government assignment and Sweden's national strategy in the area of mental health and suicide prevention: "It's About Life." In emergency services, we act as if it’s our alarm when we are first on the scene," says Johan Personne, continuing: "The important thing is that the first responder can start the intervention, such as talking and negotiating with the person, without waiting for others." The goal is to make it easier to process impressions, work through them, and move on," he explains. "An assessment is also made whether staff can continue working or if additional measures, such as occupational health services, are needed." "Emergency personnel face difficult situations, and the mapping we have done provides good conditions for continued collaboration on mental health," says Fire Engineer Lars Anderman, who works on this issue at the Civil Contingencies Agency. The agency is also developing an online training course on suicide prevention for municipal emergency services. Additionally, plans are underway to develop practical response exercises and promote joint training for blue-light personnel.