Evaluation of the Mental Health Temperature of Rhode Island Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Rhode Island medical journal (2013) · 2025-07-28 · Observational study
Abstract
Mental health among first responders is often impacted by repeated exposure to stressors and traumatic events. As a result, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals have a higher risk of suicide than the general public.1 With each state having different EMS cultures and operations, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Center for EMS identified a need to assess the mental health of EMS professionals in Rhode Island. A survey was distributed to EMS professionals in Rhode Island to evaluate their mental health and identify demographic gaps, as well as assess the risk of suicide for EMS professionals. Survey results provided evidence of concerning mental health among first responders in Rhode Island, with 15.4 percent of responders reporting suicidal ideation in the past 12 months. The results suggest that increased programming to provide resources and awareness is necessary to improve mental health and ensure the longevity of EMS professionals' careers.