Firefighters open suicide discussion after third friend dies

Monday, 26 August 2019

Firefighters are concerned that not enough is being done to care for the mental health of their frontline staff.

Hamilton firefighter Patrick 'Sarj' Sarjeant was the beloved 'class clown', the kind of man able to coax his crew mates out of a slump.

But he's the third firefighter Brett Cowper and John Parker know who are understood to have taken their own lives.

In the wake of Sarjeant's death, the pair are pushing for crews to start tackling mental health, despite the traditionally 'macho' environment.

Firefighters are in the midst of an international mental health 'crisis', according to the NZ Professional Firefighters Union.

* Firefighters utilising support services more in Southern region

* NZ Defence Force seeks bids for new external mental health services

Patrick Sarjeant was the kind of man who would cheer up others, his friends say.

* More firefighters accessing mental health help in the face of traumatic jobs**

And all firefighters - both paid and volunteers - need to be a part of what could be a life-saving culture change, Hamilton-based senior firefighters Cowper and Parker said.

Often as a firefighter, you're heading to the 'worst day' of someone's life, Parker said.

So they're encouraging crews to look out for each other, and reach out to anyone they think might be struggling.

The five weeks since Sarjeant's death have been 'sombre'.

'I think everyone has been reflecting,' Cowper, a close friend, said.

'At work, [Sarjeant] was the kind of class clown. If the watch was down, he was the guy that would lift them back up. Just because of his humour. He was a fun guy to have on your watch.'

He was the third firefighter the pair had known personally who are suspected of taking their own lives in the past decade.

'And we've heard of plenty more,' Cowper said.

While someone's workplace is rarely the sole reason for someone to sink into depression, the death, ravaged houses and traumatised people firefighters are confronted with can't help.

'You get into work mode,' Cowper said. 'Then you get back on the truck and go sh.. that was horrible.'

It's not easy to see when a firefighter is struggling, though.

Hamilton-based firefighters John Parker and Brett Cowper say firefighters need to talk about mental health after burying another friend.

Some unwind after a harrowing job by talking with their crew mates, others shut themselves away with a book.

'You do catch some people,' Cowper said. 'You go hey mate, you all right? They'll go yeah, yeah. And then you know they're not eh.'

Sometimes, they'll eventually let on that they're struggling. Often, they won't.

Fire and Emergency NZ acknowledges suicide is an evolving issue and 'growing problem in our workforce', deputy chief executive of people Brendan Nally told Stuff.

Sarjeant's death was an 'absolute tragedy', and FENZ had a responsibility to look after its people.

'We're trying to understand this phenomenon.'

Firefighters are dealing with a mental health 'crisis', according to the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union.

On-call psychologists and peer support are available for both firefighters and their families.

Leaders are being trained to recognise trauma and a new protocol means that after a firefighter has attended 10 fatalities, their managers will check in with them, Nally said.

Since 2013, firefighters have been attending more fatalities and critical incidents, called 'purple calls', such as suicides, cardiac arrests and infant deaths.

There isn't enough support - especially specialist support - available for first responders, union secretary Joanne Watson said.

A lack of statistics means it's hard to peg how broad the issue is, but most firefighters know of at least one comrade to have committed suicide, Watson said.

The situations firefighters are confronted with - from house fires to infant death - would take a toll on anyone, she said.

'There's mental gymnastics they have to do in preparation,' Watson said, from a firefighting conference in the US.

'They're facing mortality everyday. They know that every job they go to could be their last.'

Watson plans to implement initiatives that have worked abroad, including stronger peer support groups, preventative programmes and more specialist training for professionals.

She also encourages firefighters to debrief after traumatic incidents and look out for changes in each other's behaviour.

Parker hopes people's mental health will eventually take on the same importance as physical health.

'You roll your ankle tomorrow, you're going to go to the doctor … We roll out the door and go to this really horrible incident, and we don't do anything.'

Although, it's changing - slowly.

'We're definitely seeing a culture shift,' Parker said. 'It's just a shame that we're seeing it after the loss of a few friends.'

WHERE TO GET HELP:

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

What's Up – 0800 942 8787 (for 5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends, 3pm–11pm. Online chat is available 7pm–10pm daily.

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.

thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825