Crime in central Ohio takes a toll on first responders' mental health

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — As crime and violence impacts families and communities, first responders said it affects their mental health as well.

"I don’t want to see anyone lose their life, especially a first responder that’s out there putting their lives on the line every day," said Mick Yinger, a retired police officer who worked in central Ohio for 21 years.

Behind the crime tape, Yinger said first responders risk not only their physical health but their mental health. After they clear the scene, he said their feelings can follow them home.

"These are real people responding to these runs. These runs with children. These shootings, the domestics, the fires, the car crashes," he said. "They don’t want their families to go through what they’re going through, and they keep that bottled up inside, and that’s not healthy."

Yinger said that can lead to problems in marriages, addiction, and suicide.

"I’m recovering from trauma on the job as well as some life things by just being able to access that grief and mourn properly," said Dave Gerold, a lieutenant with the Columbus Division of Fire.

According to the CDC, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

"That doesn’t have to be you, and that you don’t have the carry that shame of whatever’s going on because there’s a safe space to unload that with safe people, and I’m encouraging you to do that," said Gerold.

To help their fellow first responders, Gerold leads the Columbus Division of Fire's Support Unit. It includes firefighters who are trained to listen and provide support.

Yinger co-founded an organization called First Responders' Bridge. It offers resources and free, confidential weekend getaways to first responders and their significant others.

"I’ve had two former partners and close friends that have committed suicide. I had a former academy classmate that took his own life, so we wanted to do something to get out in front of this and help our fellow first responders," said Yinger.

By opening up and talking about mental health, Gerold said everyone can make a positive difference.

"The solution in this problem is in language and in talking about it, and the more we talk about it, that means fewer first responders will take their own lives," he said.

On October 24, local first responders, including Yinger and Gerold, are getting together at a theater in Gahanna to watch a new movie called "First Responders." The movie shines a light on first responders' mental health.

If you or someone you know needs a person to talk to, call 988, the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.