First responders like firefighters routinely experience trauma, stress, and tragedy in the line of duty, often carrying the weight of those experiences long after a call ends. This story explores the mental health challenges facing Wisconsin’s first responders and a first-of-its-kind research effort that’s shining a light on factors that affect their wellbeing.
Through a partnership between Rogers Research Center and the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation, researchers have surveyed firefighters across the state since 2020 to better understand professional quality of life, anxiety, depression, sleep, and other factors that can influence mental health. The research is now expanding to follow a subset of firefighters over time and include law enforcement officers.
Kelly Piacsek, PhD, vice president of research at Rogers Behavioral Health, discusses how data like this can help reduce stigma, encourage conversations about mental health, and identify opportunities to better support the people who serve their communities every day.
By bringing difficult conversations out of the shadows, this work aims to ensure first responders have the understanding, resources, and support they need, guided by the idea that they shouldn’t have to carry life’s heaviest burdens alone.
