A needs assessment survey of emergency medicine technicians for suicide prevention

Each year, more than 30,000 Americans take their own lives. Another 500,000 visit emergency rooms for self-inflicted injuries. Given their role as emergency services providers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are at the forefront in responding to suicidal events. An on-line survey was conducted to collect data from certified EMTs to assess their suicide-prevention training needs as well as their perceptions about suicide and their experience in responding to suicide calls. Over 1800 EMTs in one New England state were invited to participate in an anonymous survey; 1356 EMTs agreed to participate, with 62% (842) providing complete or near-complete survey responses. Nine out of ten EMTs reported having responded to calls involving suicidal threats or attempts during their careers. More than half (54%) of EMTs rated their knowledge of the causes and prevention of suicide as “fair” or “poor”. Only 28% of respondents indicated that they are adequately trained to handle suicide-related calls, with more advanced level (paramedics, OR =1.57, 95% CI: 1.10-2.23) and female (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.12-2.26) EMTs more likely to report being adequately trained. Among those EMTs who had actually responded to suicide death(s), greater than one-third (36%) reported experiencing disruption in their own lives after responding to a suicide death. This survey identified significant training gaps in suicide prevention among EMTs. The impact of responding to suicide-related calls requires vigilance within EMS agencies to ensure the availability of comprehensive suicide prevention education and support systems.