The Deaths of Firefighters and Police Officers on the Frontlines of Rescue... The Mental Health We Failed to Protect

A Structural Issue, Not a Matter of Personal Weakness
Severe Shortage of Counseling Budget and Personnel
Long-Term and Consistent Support Is Essential

The recent suicide of a firefighter who was dispatched to the scene during the Itaewon disaster has brought renewed attention to the mental health of firefighters and police officers, making it an urgent social issue that cannot be ignored. The repeated exposure to disaster sites, the resulting shock and stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and burnout accumulate over time, pushing these individuals to the brink. Experts point out that this is not simply a matter of individual vulnerability, but a structural risk inherent in the nature of their work.

According to data submitted by the office of Assemblyman Yoon Kunyoung of the Democratic Party of Korea to the National Fire Agency on September 8, the number of firefighter suicides was 12 in 2020, 17 in 2021, 21 in 2022, 11 in 2023, and 17 last year. Police officer suicides were recorded as 24 in 2020, 24 in 2021, 21 in 2022, 24 in 2023, 22 last year, and 16 as of July this year.

The suicide issue among firefighters and police officers is a structural problem that cannot be dismissed as a matter of individual weakness. According to the research paper "An Integrative Literature Review on Interventions to Alleviate Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," the number of police officers receiving treatment for depression and PTSD increased by 67% and 46%, respectively, between 2020 and 2022. Among firefighters, the prevalence of PTSD symptoms is also rising, with about 4.4% classified as a "high-risk group" who have contemplated suicide.

In advanced countries, various systems are in place to manage trauma and prevent suicide among police officers and firefighters. In the United States, the Zadroga Act was enacted to provide lifelong monitoring and management of trauma-related aftereffects for those dispatched to the scene of the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is conducting long-term research on PTSD and operates psychological trauma support programs for everyone from cadets to retired officers.

South Korea has also established institutional measures, but there remains a shortage of personnel and budget. As of this year, there are 128 counselors and a budget of 4.299 billion won for the "On-Site Counseling Room" program for firefighters. This program dispatches professional counselors directly to fire stations or training sites, taking into account the unique work environment of firefighters. The number of counseling sessions conducted by the On-Site Counseling Room was 63,416 in 2022, 70,759 in 2023, 79,453 last year, and 55,803 as of June this year.

The police "Mind Companion Center" has only 38 counselors and a budget of 3.598 billion won. Since 2014, the Mind Companion Center has signed medical institution business agreements (MOUs) to provide specialized treatment for job-related stress among police officers. The number of users and sessions at the Mind Companion Center was 14,218 people and 25,974 sessions in 2022; 18,912 people and 38,199 sessions in 2023; 16,923 people and 38,197 sessions last year; and 8,747 people and 18,813 sessions as of June this year.

Song Jiyeon, a counselor at the Police Hospital Mind Companion Center, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 3rd at the Police Hospital Annex in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

Song Jiyeon, a counselor at the Police Hospital Mind Companion Center, said, "Seeking counseling is not a sign of weakness," adding, "Having the courage to ask for help when you are struggling is true strength." She has been working at the Mind Companion Center since its pilot operation in 2013 as the first counselor, providing counseling for police officers experiencing PTSD, trauma, and anxiety.

Song explained, "Because police officers are exposed to so many negative incidents, they often cannot easily reveal their psychological pain even to family or friends." She added, "There is an unspoken rule that police officers should not show weakness compared to victims or bereaved families, so many cannot acknowledge their psychological difficulties and avoid counseling."

Song emphasized the need for long-term and consistent support for the mental health of police officers. She said, "Some police officers who do not receive counseling or treatment may, in extreme cases, end up taking their own lives," and stressed, "This is not a problem that can be solved in the short term, and we must continuously expand personnel and infrastructure." She continued, "In Gangwon Province, for example, there is only one center in Chuncheon, making it difficult for police officers in Gangneung or Donghae to access services," highlighting the urgent need for increased funding.

If you are struggling with depression or other difficult issues, or if you have family or friends experiencing such challenges, you can receive 24-hour expert counseling by calling the suicide prevention hotline at 109 or through the suicide prevention SNS counseling service "Madeleine."