Sleep Deprivation in First Responders-How Much of a Contributing Factor to Reported Suicide Rates?

Abstract

Suicide rates are estimated to be 30,000 deaths per year in the United States. Recent news stations and periodicals have been covering reporting of increased deaths by suicides of first responders in a 2016 Center for Disease Control report [1]. The first responder group of firefighters, paramedics and police officers now represents a high risk group. Within this population of suicide deaths, features of more males and use of firearms comprises the highest levels of suicides. The identified risk factors associated with first responders are marital discord, trauma, increased stress and role diffusion with the sudden fame associated with event they responded to. Additional triggers to first responders have, to date, been described as stress and loss of health. Sleep deprivation has been identified as a significant trigger factor linked to depression and suicide [2]. However, the specifics of the extent and history of the sleep deprivation as well as other factors such as mood levels are not provided in the news reporting’s.