Cal Fire tells Action News Now that the number of firefighters killed by suicide is higher than those killed in the line of duty. An exact number in Butte County is to be determined, as there remains a stigma against PTSD and suicide.
Extended hours and exposure to constant death and destruction can hurt mental wellness.
"What happens with first responders generally is they are taught at the beginning to get through it and put emotions aside," says Katy Luallan, a therapist for firefighters. "As they experience trauma, going to accidents, medical calls, and fires, those things start to add up."
Nationwide, first responder suicides, in general, are on the rise. 140 police officers took their own lives in 2017.