Join UMass Chan and the Last Call Foundation for an Essential Lecture on Firefighter Mental Health

UMass Chan Medical School is hosting an important lecture on firefighter mental health this Friday, March 14. The event, sponsored by the Last Call Foundation, aims to shed light on the challenges that firefighters often face, including high rates of addiction and mental health issues.

The foundation has donated $200,000 to create a program dedicated to education and research. This funding will help medical students gain vital experience through interactions with firefighters, foster research on health issues specific to them, and host a series of informative talks.

Timothy Boardman, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, points out that firefighters are at greater risk for certain cancers and mental health disorders. He emphasizes the need for primary care doctors to understand these unique health risks: “It makes sense for a medical school focused on prevention to team up with a foundation that raises awareness about firefighter health,” he said.

The Last Call Foundation was established by Kathy Crosby-Bell to honor her son, firefighter Michael Kennedy, who lost his life in the Boston fire tragedy on March 26, 2014. Jason Burns, the executive director of the foundation, adds that the program will greatly benefit medical professionals. “It gives them the chance to understand what firefighters face,” he explains. This understanding will help firefighters communicate better with their healthcare providers and advocate for their needs.

Worcester Fire Department Assistant Chief Adam Roche highlights the significance of this collaboration. He believes that programs like this improve awareness among healthcare providers regarding the unique struggles faced by first responders. These initiatives not only educate medical staff but also empower firefighters to cope with their experiences. “It’s about learning how to process and recover from these stressors, enabling them to return to work healthier,” Roche shared.

The lecture series will feature Michael Hamrock, a primary care physician and addiction medicine specialist who once served as a firefighter, along with retired Lieutenant William Ostiguy. They will discuss how healthcare professionals can better support firefighters and the challenges first responders encounter when seeking mental health care.

Research underscores the importance of addressing the mental health needs of firefighters. According to a recent survey by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, nearly 50% of firefighters reported experiencing mental health issues, with many not seeking help due to stigma.

This lecture is a step toward changing that narrative. It aims to create a better understanding of firefighter health among medical professionals and provide useful strategies for addressing mental health and addiction services. By fostering this dialogue, the hope is to ensure that first responders have the support they need to thrive both on and off the job.

The lecture will take place from 3-5 p.m. in the Albert Sherman Center auditorium at UMass Chan. This initiative represents a growing recognition of the need for mental health resources tailored specifically for those who serve our communities in high-pressure roles.

For more information about the Last Call Foundation and its mission, you can visit their website.

Source link