VIDEO: According to the National Fallen Firefighters Association, around 100 U.S. firefighters die by suicide each year.
As head chaplain for Albuquerque Fire Rescue, this is the reality David Meyers faces in his line of work. “We see lots of things. We experience lots of things. People tend to think firefighters are big, bad, tough, and strong. While they are, we are also human,” Meyers said.
Meyers provides education, support and resources to fellow firefighters who may be struggling with their mental health.
His experiences and the loss he has faced inspired him to write the song, “Ropes.”
“We had a loss in our department a few years back. And there’s other departments, you know, around the country that have suffered the same,” Meyers said.
Mental health and suicide are often stigmatized, he says. He also never thought he’d put that into song.