Patterns of Primary Care Use and Clinical Assessment Practices Among Treatment-seeking First Responders.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · 2026-03-09 · Observational study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictors of suicide for law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters (FFs), and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). METHODS: We used primary care assessments of posttraumatic stress disorder (Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5), generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), substance use (CAGE Adapted to Include Drugs), resilience (Response to Stressful Experiences Scale-4), and suicidality (Patient Health Questionnaire-Suicidal Ideation). We conducted separate logistic regressions predicting suicide for LEOs and FFs/EMTs. RESULTS: Among LEOs, 8% screened positive for suicide, whereas 24% of FFs/EMTs screened positive, respectively. There were no significant predictors of suicide for LEOs. However, for FFs/EMTs, depression was associated with an increase in suicidality, whereas previous mental health treatment was a buffer against it. LIMITATIONS: These data are cross-sectional and require analysis throughout the course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated the utility of using primary care abbreviated assessments for first responders.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Paramedics & EMTs · Fire service & police · Sex & gender
Related articles
- Exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms among first responders working in proximity to the terror sites in Norway on July 22, 2011 - a cross-sectional study. (Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med, 2015)
- Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric symptoms among first responders in a Southern State. (Arch Psychiatr Nurs, 2018)
- Impact of extreme bushfire seasons on rates of occupational injury and disease compensation claims in first responders. (Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 2024)
- An assessment of mental health challenges and occupational stressors among public safety personnel senior leadership. (J Psychiatr Res, 2026)
- Firearm ownership and storage practices among United States firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. (Psychol Serv, 2024)
- Sleep Quality and Mental Disorder Symptoms among Canadian Public Safety Personnel. (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020)