By Dr. Ann Hawkins, Chief Innovation & Marketing Officer, Health Karma Group
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever worked with someone who lost their job or their life because
of substance abuse or suicide.”
It’s a question that leaves the room silent. In public safety, that silence speaks volumes.
Behind the badges and uniforms are men and women carrying invisible weight, the weight of
trauma, loss, and exhaustion that builds up over years of service.
The Reality We Don’t Talk About
First responders face the kind of stress most people can’t imagine. Every shift brings
exposure to trauma, violence, and suffering. Over time, that exposure becomes cumulative,
chipping away at mental and emotional resilience.
The statistics are sobering: the suicide rate among first responders is 51.5% higher than the
general population. Behind each number is a person who once loved their job, took pride in
helping others, but found themselves overwhelmed by the toll of it all.
These struggles rarely start big. They begin quietly sleepless nights, irritability, fatigue, or a
growing sense of numbness. But when mental health goes unaddressed, it doesn’t stay
hidden for long. It shows up in performance, decision-making, and relationships both on and
off the job.
The High Cost of “Pushing Through”
Many departments operate with tight budgets, limited resources, and a “just deal with it”
culture. But ignoring mental health carries a massive cost.
The financial impact shows up in overtime blowouts, higher insurance premiums, and
expensive recruitment cycles to replace experienced professionals who burn out or leave the
field entirely.
Psychological workers’ compensation claims are now among the most expensive and
frequent in public safety. Add in absenteeism and presenteeism (being physically at work
but mentally checked out), and the true cost becomes staggering.
We often think of wellness as a personal issue but it’s also an operational and financial one.
When workers suffer, organizations suffer too.
Breaking the Cycle: From Crisis to Prevention
What if we stopped reacting after tragedy and started supporting people before they reach a
breaking point?
Organizations that invest in comprehensive well-being programs and behavioral health
support see results. Turnover can drop by 15% or more, saving mid-sized agencies
hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. But the real return isn’t just in savings it’s in
lives improved, and sometimes, lives saved.
That’s the philosophy behind Health Karma’s 1st Moment programs: giving first responders
confidential, real-time access to mental health support the moment they need it. No stigma.
No paperwork. No claims tied back to the department. Just help fast, discreet, and human.
When support happens early, healing begins sooner. People think clearer, manage stress
better, and rediscover a sense of purpose in their work.
From Silence to Support
When a tragedy happens in a department especially a suicide everyone asks the same
questions: Why didn’t anyone say something? What did we miss?
Often, the truth is that people noticed something was off but didn’t know what to do. They
didn’t want to make it worse, or they were afraid of saying the wrong thing.
We can change that by creating cultures where asking for help is encouraged not punished.
Where leaders model vulnerability and peers check in on each other, not just about the job,
but about how they’re really doing.
Support doesn’t always have to come from a clinician. Sometimes, it starts with a simple,
honest conversation.
The Way Forward
Protecting those who protect others means more than physical safety gear it means
safeguarding their mental health too.
Public safety professionals are trained to respond in the worst situations. But they also
deserve a system that responds to them when they’re in crisis.
If we want strong, resilient communities, we need strong, supported responders. That begins
with shifting our mindset from “tough it out” to “let’s talk about it.”
Call to Action
If you’re a first responder, supervisor, or union leader, make mental health part of your safety
plan. Talk to your wellness coordinator or EAP. Explore confidential programs like 1st
Moment that provide support before crisis strikes.
Because when we take care of the people who take care of us, everyone wins.
About the Author:
Dr. Ann Hawkins leads innovation and marketing for Health Karma Group, a company
dedicated to whole-person well-being through its 1st Moment programs providing real-time,
confidential mental health support to individuals and families 24/7/365.
If you or someone you know is struggling, talk to your union health representative or visit
https://www.healthkarmagroup.com/
