First Responder Mental Health Crisis: Addressing PTSD and Suicide in South African Police

A mental health crisis is gripping South Africa's first responders, with staggering statistics revealing that, on average, one police officer dies by suicide every week. A recent study shows that 47.3% of police and paramedics qualify for a depression diagnosis, while nearly 49% show signs of PTSD. This discussion with Dr Siki Mdletye

Member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, delves into the root causes: chronic exposure to gruesome trauma, exhausting shift schedules, and a culture of stigma that prevents officers from seeking help.