Increase in suicides among cops, firefighters

Source: cbs

Among emergency workers, it's a topic that's almost taboo: suicide by police officers and firefighters. But a recent surge in suicides by Chicago firefighters has sparked increased efforts to bring the topic out of the shadows. As CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports one Chicago firefighter knows firsthand the profound pain this silent sorrow causes for loved ones left behind.

Kevin Flanagan was a 25-year-old Chicago cop. His proud father: a top member of the police command.

But five years ago, Kevin shot himself to death in his apartment bathroom, and his family still doesn't know why.

"I still think, 'Why? Why did it happen? Why didn't he call me?" said his brother, Matt Flanagan. "He made that choice to do that to himself, and basically, to do it to us. He stole our future together."


Read more: http://www.wbbm780.com/Increase-in-suicides-among-cops--firefighters/4388272

I knew cops had a high suicide rate but firefighters? It makes sense, how horrible would it be to attempt to save someone and not being able to?
Or being a cop and having to shoot and kill someone. Even if it's the right thing to do. I can't even imagine.

Just asking. I remember wondering, after 9-11, why the government was cutting funds to health care, retirement, hospitals and salaries for these people, after all they had done in NYC.

Of course, I also wondered why the soldiers being sent to Afghanistan (and later, Iraq) were so tragically underequipped, so that their families were scrambling to buy them medical supplies and body armor.