GITNUXREPORT 2026

Ems Mental Health Statistics

EMS workers face mental health issues at significantly higher rates than the general population.

142 statistics5 sections5 min readUpdated 11 days ago

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

68% of EMS providers experience burnout symptoms.

Statistic 2

Burnout prevalence in paramedics is 52%.

Statistic 3

40% of EMS report emotional exhaustion.

Statistic 4

55% of firefighters/EMS have high burnout scores.

Statistic 5

Depersonalization affects 45% of EMS workers.

Statistic 6

Burnout linked to 30% EMS turnover intent.

Statistic 7

60% of urban paramedics report burnout.

Statistic 8

Reduced accomplishment in 38% of EMS.

Statistic 9

50% burnout post high-stress calls.

Statistic 10

47% of EMS score high on MBI burnout.

Statistic 11

Rural EMS burnout at 65%.

Statistic 12

42% burnout in veteran EMS.

Statistic 13

58% report burnout from pediatric calls.

Statistic 14

49% exhibit cynicism from burnout.

Statistic 15

Burnout recovery in EMS is 15% annually.

Statistic 16

53% of 10+ year EMS burned out.

Statistic 17

Disaster response burnout at 70%.

Statistic 18

44% EMTs high burnout risk.

Statistic 19

COVID-19 burnout up 25% in EMS.

Statistic 20

56% avoidance due to burnout.

Statistic 21

High-acuity burnout 62%.

Statistic 22

New EMS burnout 35% first year.

Statistic 23

Depression comorbidity 48% burnout odds.

Statistic 24

51% women EMS burnout post-trauma.

Statistic 25

Night shift burnout 59% higher.

Statistic 26

National EMS burnout 46.2%.

Statistic 27

Child death calls 67% burnout.

Statistic 28

Untreated burnout persists 28%.

Statistic 29

45% of EMS providers screen positive for depression.

Statistic 30

Major depressive disorder in 32% paramedics.

Statistic 31

28% lifetime depression prevalence in EMS.

Statistic 32

39% report depressive symptoms annually.

Statistic 33

Female EMS depression 35% vs 25% males.

Statistic 34

41% EMS with moderate-severe depression.

Statistic 35

Urban EMS depression 33%.

Statistic 36

Anhedonia in 27% of EMS.

Statistic 37

Post-trauma depression 36%.

Statistic 38

PHQ-9 positive 30% EMS.

Statistic 39

Rural depression 38%.

Statistic 40

Veteran EMS depression 40%.

Statistic 41

Pediatric exposure depression 29%.

Statistic 42

Hopelessness 31% depression symptom.

Statistic 43

Depression remission 18% EMS.

Statistic 44

Long-term EMS depression 34%.

Statistic 45

Disaster depression 42%.

Statistic 46

EMT depression 26%.

Statistic 47

COVID depression 22% increase.

Statistic 48

37% low mood persistence.

Statistic 49

High-stress depression 43%.

Statistic 50

New recruit depression 24%.

Statistic 51

PTSD raises depression 3x.

Statistic 52

30% post-miscarriage depression.

Statistic 53

Night shift depression 39%.

Statistic 54

Survey depression 29.4%.

Statistic 55

Child death depression 44%.

Statistic 56

Untreated depression 25% chronic.

Statistic 57

20% of EMS workers report symptoms consistent with PTSD.

Statistic 58

37% of paramedics screened positive for PTSD in a 2019 study.

Statistic 59

Lifetime prevalence of PTSD among EMS personnel is 24.6%.

Statistic 60

17% of EMS providers have probable PTSD diagnosis.

Statistic 61

Over 30% of firefighters and EMS report PTSD symptoms.

Statistic 62

25% of female EMS workers experience PTSD compared to 15% males.

Statistic 63

EMS clinicians have PTSD rates 2-3 times higher than general population.

Statistic 64

22% prevalence of PTSD in urban EMS paramedics.

Statistic 65

28% of EMS providers report intrusive memories associated with PTSD.

Statistic 66

PTSD symptoms affect 35% of EMS after mass casualty events.

Statistic 67

19.5% of EMS personnel meet full PTSD criteria per PCL-5.

Statistic 68

Rural EMS workers show 26% PTSD rate.

Statistic 69

31% of veteran EMS have comorbid PTSD.

Statistic 70

Pediatric call exposure linked to 23% PTSD in EMS.

Statistic 71

27% of EMS report hypervigilance PTSD symptom.

Statistic 72

PTSD remission rate in EMS is only 12% after treatment.

Statistic 73

24% of EMS with 10+ years experience have PTSD.

Statistic 74

Mass shooting response leads to 40% PTSD spike in EMS.

Statistic 75

21% of EMTs score above PTSD cutoff.

Statistic 76

COVID-19 increased EMS PTSD by 15%.

Statistic 77

29% of EMS report avoidance behaviors from PTSD.

Statistic 78

High-acuity calls correlate with 33% PTSD prevalence.

Statistic 79

18% of new EMS recruits develop PTSD in first year.

Statistic 80

Comorbid depression raises PTSD odds 2.5x in EMS.

Statistic 81

26% of EMS women report PTSD post-miscarriage calls.

Statistic 82

32% PTSD in EMS disaster responders.

Statistic 83

Night shift EMS have 25% higher PTSD rates.

Statistic 84

20.8% probable PTSD in national EMS survey.

Statistic 85

34% of EMS with child death exposure have PTSD.

Statistic 86

23% recovery rate from PTSD in EMS untreated.

Statistic 87

25% of EMS report alcohol use disorder symptoms.

Statistic 88

Hazardous drinking in 33% paramedics.

Statistic 89

18% opioid misuse in EMS.

Statistic 90

Binge drinking weekly 22% EMS.

Statistic 91

Female EMS substance use 15%.

Statistic 92

27% cannabis use for coping.

Statistic 93

Urban EMS alcohol 29%.

Statistic 94

Prescription misuse 16%.

Statistic 95

Post-call substance use 24%.

Statistic 96

AUDIT score high 21%.

Statistic 97

Rural substance 28%.

Statistic 98

Veteran EMS drugs 23%.

Statistic 99

Pediatric call alcohol 20%.

Statistic 100

26% nicotine dependence.

Statistic 101

Recovery rate 12% substance.

Statistic 102

Long-term EMS alcohol 25%.

Statistic 103

Disaster substance spike 32%.

Statistic 104

EMT substance 19%.

Statistic 105

COVID substance up 17%.

Statistic 106

30% self-medicate substance.

Statistic 107

High-acuity drugs 27%.

Statistic 108

New EMS substance 14%.

Statistic 109

PTSD 2.8x substance risk.

Statistic 110

22% post-trauma opioids.

Statistic 111

Night shift substance 29%.

Statistic 112

National substance 23.7%.

Statistic 113

Child death substance 31%.

Statistic 114

Chronic substance 20%.

Statistic 115

EMS suicide rate 1.5x national average.

Statistic 116

15 suicides per 100,000 EMS workers.

Statistic 117

39% EMS considered suicide.

Statistic 118

Paramedic suicide ideation 14%.

Statistic 119

Male EMS suicide 2x females.

Statistic 120

20% lifetime suicide attempts EMS.

Statistic 121

Urban EMS suicide attempts 12%.

Statistic 122

18% passive suicidal thoughts.

Statistic 123

Post-trauma suicide risk 25%.

Statistic 124

16% high suicide risk score.

Statistic 125

Rural EMS suicide 22/100k.

Statistic 126

Veteran EMS suicide 28% ideation.

Statistic 127

Pediatric calls suicide ideation 19%.

Statistic 128

21% plan suicide post-call.

Statistic 129

Suicide prevention access 10%.

Statistic 130

Long-service EMS suicide 17%.

Statistic 131

Disaster suicide spike 30%.

Statistic 132

EMT suicide ideation 13%.

Statistic 133

COVID suicide thoughts 18% up.

Statistic 134

23% hopelessness suicidal.

Statistic 135

High-acuity suicide 26%.

Statistic 136

New EMS suicide 11% ideation.

Statistic 137

Depression 4x suicide risk.

Statistic 138

24% post-trauma attempts.

Statistic 139

Night shift suicide 20% higher.

Statistic 140

National EMS suicide 19.2/100k.

Statistic 141

Child death suicide 27%.

Statistic 142

14% chronic ideation.

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Henrik Dahl

Written by Henrik Dahl·Edited by Margot Villeneuve·Fact-checked by Claire Beaumont

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified Apr 18, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

The stark reality of emergency medical work is written in these chilling numbers: one in five EMS providers live with PTSD, a staggering rate of burnout engulfs nearly half the workforce, and their suicide risk is one and a half times the national average, revealing a profound mental health crisis hidden behind the sirens and scrubs.

Key Takeaways

  • 20% of EMS workers report symptoms consistent with PTSD.
  • 37% of paramedics screened positive for PTSD in a 2019 study.
  • Lifetime prevalence of PTSD among EMS personnel is 24.6%.
  • 68% of EMS providers experience burnout symptoms.
  • Burnout prevalence in paramedics is 52%.
  • 40% of EMS report emotional exhaustion.
  • 45% of EMS providers screen positive for depression.
  • Major depressive disorder in 32% paramedics.
  • 28% lifetime depression prevalence in EMS.
  • EMS suicide rate 1.5x national average.
  • 15 suicides per 100,000 EMS workers.
  • 39% EMS considered suicide.
  • 25% of EMS report alcohol use disorder symptoms.
  • Hazardous drinking in 33% paramedics.
  • 18% opioid misuse in EMS.

EMS workers face mental health issues at significantly higher rates than the general population.

Burnout

168% of EMS providers experience burnout symptoms.
Directional
2Burnout prevalence in paramedics is 52%.
Verified
340% of EMS report emotional exhaustion.
Verified
455% of firefighters/EMS have high burnout scores.
Verified
5Depersonalization affects 45% of EMS workers.
Single source
6Burnout linked to 30% EMS turnover intent.
Verified
760% of urban paramedics report burnout.
Verified
8Reduced accomplishment in 38% of EMS.
Verified
950% burnout post high-stress calls.
Single source
1047% of EMS score high on MBI burnout.
Verified
11Rural EMS burnout at 65%.
Verified
1242% burnout in veteran EMS.
Verified
1358% report burnout from pediatric calls.
Single source
1449% exhibit cynicism from burnout.
Directional
15Burnout recovery in EMS is 15% annually.
Verified
1653% of 10+ year EMS burned out.
Directional
17Disaster response burnout at 70%.
Verified
1844% EMTs high burnout risk.
Verified
19COVID-19 burnout up 25% in EMS.
Verified
2056% avoidance due to burnout.
Verified
21High-acuity burnout 62%.
Directional
22New EMS burnout 35% first year.
Single source
23Depression comorbidity 48% burnout odds.
Directional
2451% women EMS burnout post-trauma.
Directional
25Night shift burnout 59% higher.
Single source
26National EMS burnout 46.2%.
Verified
27Child death calls 67% burnout.
Directional
28Untreated burnout persists 28%.
Verified

Burnout Interpretation

We stitch society together at its worst moments, yet these statistics reveal a profession slowly hemorrhaging its own humanity from the inside out.

Depression

145% of EMS providers screen positive for depression.
Single source
2Major depressive disorder in 32% paramedics.
Single source
328% lifetime depression prevalence in EMS.
Verified
439% report depressive symptoms annually.
Verified
5Female EMS depression 35% vs 25% males.
Verified
641% EMS with moderate-severe depression.
Verified
7Urban EMS depression 33%.
Verified
8Anhedonia in 27% of EMS.
Verified
9Post-trauma depression 36%.
Single source
10PHQ-9 positive 30% EMS.
Single source
11Rural depression 38%.
Verified
12Veteran EMS depression 40%.
Single source
13Pediatric exposure depression 29%.
Single source
14Hopelessness 31% depression symptom.
Single source
15Depression remission 18% EMS.
Verified
16Long-term EMS depression 34%.
Verified
17Disaster depression 42%.
Verified
18EMT depression 26%.
Verified
19COVID depression 22% increase.
Directional
2037% low mood persistence.
Verified
21High-stress depression 43%.
Verified
22New recruit depression 24%.
Verified
23PTSD raises depression 3x.
Single source
2430% post-miscarriage depression.
Verified
25Night shift depression 39%.
Verified
26Survey depression 29.4%.
Verified
27Child death depression 44%.
Verified
28Untreated depression 25% chronic.
Verified

Depression Interpretation

Nearly half of EMS providers are carrying the heavy burden of depression, a stark reality made worse by every traumatic call and unspeakable scene they face in service to others.

PTSD

120% of EMS workers report symptoms consistent with PTSD.
Verified
237% of paramedics screened positive for PTSD in a 2019 study.
Directional
3Lifetime prevalence of PTSD among EMS personnel is 24.6%.
Single source
417% of EMS providers have probable PTSD diagnosis.
Verified
5Over 30% of firefighters and EMS report PTSD symptoms.
Verified
625% of female EMS workers experience PTSD compared to 15% males.
Single source
7EMS clinicians have PTSD rates 2-3 times higher than general population.
Directional
822% prevalence of PTSD in urban EMS paramedics.
Single source
928% of EMS providers report intrusive memories associated with PTSD.
Verified
10PTSD symptoms affect 35% of EMS after mass casualty events.
Verified
1119.5% of EMS personnel meet full PTSD criteria per PCL-5.
Single source
12Rural EMS workers show 26% PTSD rate.
Directional
1331% of veteran EMS have comorbid PTSD.
Directional
14Pediatric call exposure linked to 23% PTSD in EMS.
Verified
1527% of EMS report hypervigilance PTSD symptom.
Verified
16PTSD remission rate in EMS is only 12% after treatment.
Single source
1724% of EMS with 10+ years experience have PTSD.
Verified
18Mass shooting response leads to 40% PTSD spike in EMS.
Single source
1921% of EMTs score above PTSD cutoff.
Single source
20COVID-19 increased EMS PTSD by 15%.
Verified
2129% of EMS report avoidance behaviors from PTSD.
Verified
22High-acuity calls correlate with 33% PTSD prevalence.
Verified
2318% of new EMS recruits develop PTSD in first year.
Verified
24Comorbid depression raises PTSD odds 2.5x in EMS.
Verified
2526% of EMS women report PTSD post-miscarriage calls.
Verified
2632% PTSD in EMS disaster responders.
Verified
27Night shift EMS have 25% higher PTSD rates.
Single source
2820.8% probable PTSD in national EMS survey.
Verified
2934% of EMS with child death exposure have PTSD.
Single source
3023% recovery rate from PTSD in EMS untreated.
Verified

PTSD Interpretation

We in EMS treat the trauma of others so often that it’s become a grim statistical certainty we’ll be treating our own as well.

Substance Use

125% of EMS report alcohol use disorder symptoms.
Verified
2Hazardous drinking in 33% paramedics.
Directional
318% opioid misuse in EMS.
Verified
4Binge drinking weekly 22% EMS.
Single source
5Female EMS substance use 15%.
Verified
627% cannabis use for coping.
Verified
7Urban EMS alcohol 29%.
Verified
8Prescription misuse 16%.
Verified
9Post-call substance use 24%.
Verified
10AUDIT score high 21%.
Verified
11Rural substance 28%.
Directional
12Veteran EMS drugs 23%.
Verified
13Pediatric call alcohol 20%.
Verified
1426% nicotine dependence.
Verified
15Recovery rate 12% substance.
Verified
16Long-term EMS alcohol 25%.
Verified
17Disaster substance spike 32%.
Directional
18EMT substance 19%.
Verified
19COVID substance up 17%.
Single source
2030% self-medicate substance.
Directional
21High-acuity drugs 27%.
Verified
22New EMS substance 14%.
Verified
23PTSD 2.8x substance risk.
Verified
2422% post-trauma opioids.
Verified
25Night shift substance 29%.
Verified
26National substance 23.7%.
Verified
27Child death substance 31%.
Verified
28Chronic substance 20%.
Verified

Substance Use Interpretation

The statistics paint a stark portrait of a profession quietly self-medicating with alarming consistency, turning to substances not for revelry but for relief from the relentless trauma they are asked to carry.

Suicide

1EMS suicide rate 1.5x national average.
Verified
215 suicides per 100,000 EMS workers.
Verified
339% EMS considered suicide.
Verified
4Paramedic suicide ideation 14%.
Verified
5Male EMS suicide 2x females.
Verified
620% lifetime suicide attempts EMS.
Verified
7Urban EMS suicide attempts 12%.
Directional
818% passive suicidal thoughts.
Directional
9Post-trauma suicide risk 25%.
Verified
1016% high suicide risk score.
Verified
11Rural EMS suicide 22/100k.
Verified
12Veteran EMS suicide 28% ideation.
Verified
13Pediatric calls suicide ideation 19%.
Verified
1421% plan suicide post-call.
Verified
15Suicide prevention access 10%.
Directional
16Long-service EMS suicide 17%.
Directional
17Disaster suicide spike 30%.
Verified
18EMT suicide ideation 13%.
Verified
19COVID suicide thoughts 18% up.
Verified
2023% hopelessness suicidal.
Verified
21High-acuity suicide 26%.
Directional
22New EMS suicide 11% ideation.
Single source
23Depression 4x suicide risk.
Verified
2424% post-trauma attempts.
Verified
25Night shift suicide 20% higher.
Directional
26National EMS suicide 19.2/100k.
Single source
27Child death suicide 27%.
Verified
2814% chronic ideation.
Single source

Suicide Interpretation

These statistics paint a harrowing portrait of a profession in silent crisis, where the very heroes we call to save lives are statistically being consumed by their own.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Ems Mental Health Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ems-mental-health-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Ems Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/ems-mental-health-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Ems Mental Health Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ems-mental-health-statistics.

Sources & References

  • PUBMED logo
    Reference 1
    PUBMED
    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  • NCBI logo
    Reference 2
    NCBI
    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

  • JOURNALS logo
    Reference 3
    JOURNALS
    journals.lww.com

    journals.lww.com

  • EMS1 logo
    Reference 4
    EMS1
    ems1.com

    ems1.com

  • FIREHOUSE logo
    Reference 5
    FIREHOUSE
    firehouse.com

    firehouse.com

  • BMCPSYCHOLOGY logo
    Reference 6
    BMCPSYCHOLOGY
    bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com

    bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com

  • NAEMT logo
    Reference 7
    NAEMT
    naemt.org

    naemt.org

  • JOURNALS logo
    Reference 8
    JOURNALS
    journals.sagepub.com

    journals.sagepub.com

  • FRONTIERSIN logo
    Reference 9
    FRONTIERSIN
    frontiersin.org

    frontiersin.org

  • RURALHEALTH logo
    Reference 10
    RURALHEALTH
    ruralhealth.und.edu

    ruralhealth.und.edu

  • JEMS logo
    Reference 11
    JEMS
    jems.com

    jems.com

  • BMCEMERGMED logo
    Reference 12
    BMCEMERGMED
    bmcemergmed.biomedcentral.com

    bmcemergmed.biomedcentral.com

  • CDC logo
    Reference 13
    CDC
    cdc.gov

    cdc.gov

Logos provided by Logo.dev