09/01/2026
September is Su***de Awareness Month
We spend a lot of time talking about cancer, cardiac deaths, and line-of-duty deaths. We should probably be just as willing to talk about what happens when the uniform is hanging in the locker. One national study found **46.8% of firefighters reported suicidal thoughts, 19.2% made a plan, and 15.5% reported an attempt** during their careers.
We’re still not particularly good at admitting when things aren’t going well. Check on your people when something seems off, and don’t make them convince you they’re struggling before you take them seriously.
If you’re the one struggling, talk to somebody early—peer support, a clinician, a friend, or **988**—because waiting until things are unbearable is a terrible mental-health plan.
***deawareness
