UW Health Officials Focused on Adding New Resources to Help First Responders Tackle Mental Health Struggles

Monday, October 4th, 2021 -- 2:00 PM

(WMTV) UW Health officials are focused on adding a new resource to help first responders tackle mental health struggles.

The health system is partnering with the the Center for Suicide Awareness to host a class on acquiring the tools to become more resilient. The class is on Oct. 12 at the Emergency Education Center in Madison.

Dr. Michael Lohmeier, emergency medicine physician at UW Health, and associate professor of emergency medicine for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health says this new resource is vital for local law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMT officials.

According to a 2021 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and emergency medical services providers are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public.

The new class will focus on building up resiliency for people who are negatively impacted by hostile events. First responders are encouraged to register for the class. Details can be found on uwhealth.org.

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