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Texas fire departments are fighting stigma and pushing to provide firefighters mental health help

Department leaders say they recognize that post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues are among the biggest dangers of the job.

Houston, Texas: Firefighters on November 22, 2023 at Fire Station 48 in Houston, Texas.

The problem

Houston, Texas: Firefighter lockers on November 22, 2023 at Fire Station 48 in Houston, Texas.
Firefighters and other first responders pause for a moment of silence for the victims of the Alfred Murrah Federal Building car bomb explosion, in Oklahoma City on April 26, 1995.
Firefighters fight the fires that sprout up from within the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York City Sept 19, 2001, days after the 9/11 attack.

Changing the culture

Houston, Texas: Dr. Leah Belsches poses for a portrait on November 22, 2023 at Fire Station 48 in Houston, Texas.

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