Emergency medical professionals use codes as a sort of shorthand to alert each other to particular medical emergencies. We've all heard "code blue" shouted in hospital dramas, and it usually means someone is in cardiac arrest. But what code do EMS professionals use when they, themselves, are in trouble? Code Green is nationwide campaign which aims to raise awareness of the high rates of mental health issues EMS and other first responders face.
According to the Code Green website, the campaign not only raises awareness of the issue, it hopes to eliminate the stigma that prevents people from admitting these issues and asking for help. Code Green educates first responders on how to identify and address signs of mental health problems in themselves and their coworkers.
Humboldt General Hospital is participating in the Code Green Campaign. The slogan "The Code Green Campaign #savingpublicsafety" has been placed on its critical care and first out ambulances, said Monique Rose, EMS captain at HGH.
Rose said the campaign is vital because EMS professionals suffer the highest rate of suicide compared to other first responders such as police or firefighters. She said HGH has been extremely supportive of the campaign.
"It's a huge problem," said Rose. And it's a problem not often spoken of because of the stigma attached to mental health problems.
"The type of personality that's a first responder is often a Type A," said Rose. "They are not the type to ask for help."
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a common ailment among those in public safety. The constant exposure to traumatic and critical incidents is part of their job, but how someone deals with the after-effects of those incidents may become problematic. Those suffering from PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares or become hypervigilant. PTSD can lead to other issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, and relationship problems.
Rose said they were looking at different options to help the EMS staff at HGH such as a PTSD dog or a specialty psychologist. A PTSD dog receives training in recognizing symptoms of anxiety such as increased breathing or higher pulse rates. The dog alerts to these symptoms and can provide some comfort.
The psychologist would be available as needed for those who need to speak to someone outside of the department, especially after a critical incident. Rose said the dog and psychologist were just some of the options being considered.
Rose said the Code Green Campaign was well received by EMS staff at HGH, and she hopes to expand its reach to other local first responders.
"It's okay to ask for help," said Rose. "Those in public safety need to know that, and we need to watch each other's backs."
A fairly new nonprofit organization, the Code Green Campaign, according to its website, was founded in March of 2014 by a group of EMS professionals. They were concerned about the high rate of suicide among first responders, and the lack of discussion about mental health in general.
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