Firefighters are open to mental illness – Dambazau

The nature of work firefighters do exposes them to mental illness, interior minister Abdulrahman Dambazau has said. The negative effects of stress, trauma and exposure to hazards on mental health prompted a day of seminar for personnel of the Federal Fire Service, partnered by Melville Healthcare Centre. “Firefighters’ work tends to be regarded as inherently […]

The nature of work firefighters do exposes them to mental illness, interior minister Abdulrahman Dambazau has said.
The negative effects of stress, trauma and exposure to hazards on mental health prompted a day of seminar for personnel of the Federal Fire Service, partnered by Melville Healthcare Centre.
“Firefighters’ work tends to be regarded as inherently stressful because of the personal risk of exposure to stressful and traumatic incidents,” said the minister.
“When those problems, however, become overwhelming despite your efforts to cope, that is a sure sign you need additional help.”
Dr. Adebimpe Alder, consultant psychiatrist at Melville, said alcohol and substance abuse, depression, acute stress disorder, post traumatic stress disorder were common mental disorders found among firefighters.
FFS controller-general Anebi Garba said firefighters make personal sacrifice in serving the country and deserve support to cope with the mental health issues related to their work.
Measures to manage hazards on personnel have however not been adequeate, he said.
“It is our hope that things will change and firefighters will have access to mental health care, so we can truly save our own,” Garba said.