The Code Green Campaign

Breaking the Silence

The Code Green Campaign calls a ‘code alert’ on the mental health of EMTs and paramedics by breaking the silence about mental illness in EMS by sharing the stories of those who have been there. The Code Green Campaign has selected this story and we are glad to share it with EMS1 readers. Learn more about the Code Green Campaign.

LATEST ARTICLES

Year in Review

First responder mental health: 5 stories of heartbreak and hope

More than ever before first responders are willing to talk about suicide, PTSD and mental illness in ways that support and help one another

December 23, 2015 07:14 PM

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Mental Health

EMS providers: There is no shame in asking for help

My husband decided to seek help for his mental health, and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud

December 11, 2015 04:13 PM

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Mental Health

I almost died before realizing I had PTSD

How I was told to go back to work when I asked for counseling, and how I almost killed myself just to stop thinking

November 10, 2015 09:39 PM

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Mental Health

I am mentally ill: Without health insurance I would be dead or in jail

How my view on medication has changed and why I think everyone should have access to proper treatment

September 24, 2015 07:15 PM

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Fitness, Mental Health & Wellness

Still coping after my sister’s homicide

The first 24 hours back on the ambulance went well until I was asked to translate to a family that a 19-year-old boy was declared brain dead

August 18, 2015 06:22 PM

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Fitness, Mental Health & Wellness

‘I’m pissed:' How EMS handles it’s own with mental health issues

We can’t let ourselves get to the point that the only reason we’re still alive is the fact we have a cheap gun

July 02, 2015 12:55 AM

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I don’t like sharing EMS stories anymore

I used to talk about the work to anyone who would listen; now I feel like I’m infected and sharing my stories will spread the germs

June 01, 2015 07:04 PM

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Why the ghost of a little girl now comforts instead of haunts

I realize that maybe she kept coming back because she had felt the love in my hands as I tried to save her

April 28, 2015 07:19 PM

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Coping with a sister’s homicide leads to EMS struggles

At first it seemed the best thing to do was to get back into a groove, but bad calls trigger difficult memories and an EMT is now trying to overcome addiction

March 30, 2015 10:43 PM

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Breakdown led to many personal realizations

For an EMT of 11 years the cumulative stress took a mental toll that was finally lessened by talking to other responders with their own burdens

March 03, 2015 03:03 PM

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