First Responders Last To Receive Treatment For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Caption

First responders, including emergency medical technicians, suffer from PTSD. / Wikimedia Commons

The Georgia 2018 legislative session recently legalized the use of cannabis oil for treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD affects about 31 million people in the United States. The disorder is often associated with veterans, but another group of heroes — first responders — also struggle with the disorder. According to one survey, one in 15 paramedics and EMTs has attempted suicide. 

On Second Thought host Virginia Prescott speaks with Heather Harp.

Most of these paramedics, dispatchers and emergency medical technicians suffer in silence, but emergency facilities are starting to implement programs to help them manage their PTSD. Heather Harp, a paramedic in Atlanta, says programs like these would help people like her who are battling against PTSD. Harp founded  Courage Affects Responders Everyday, or CARE, an organization to help first responders find support after traumatic experiences on the job. She sat down with us to talk about the importance of these programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5OQwaOp-m4