More firefighters seek help for mental health issues across Minnesota
Firefighters across Minnesota continue to seek help for post-traumatic stress in record numbers.
George Esbensen, president of the Minnesota Firefighters Initiative (or MnFire), told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that the number of firefighters across Minnesota seeking help for post-traumatic stress and other medical issues continues to grow. 1,400 people will be seeking assistance in 2023. By August of this year, more than 900 people had asked for help.
“The world is certainly not getting any calmer or less complex,” Esbensen said.
Esbensen said many firefighters also serve as paramedics, and violence against firefighters has also increased.
“And certainly the fire department is being exposed to it as well, and it’s just increasing the level of insanity, chaos outside,” Esbensen said.
At last week’s meeting of the Minneapolis City Council Health and Public Safety Committee, Fire Chief Brian Tyner told the committee that his department, the largest fire department in the state, had experienced an increase in post-traumatic stress in the first nine months. He said cases are increasing. This year.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in mental health complaints, so we’re trying to find ways to take care of our employees as best we can,” Tyner said.
Last year, MnFire reported that the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program provided $2.2 million in support for mental health issues and other medical needs to 177 Minnesota firefighters and their families.
Related article: Firefighter Jay Colls’ Mental Health PTSD
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