The "suck it up, buttercup" mentality in EMS and how it doesn't work in 2024!

The "suck it up, buttercup" mentality has long been a part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) culture. It is a mindset where showing vulnerability is viewed as weakness, where resilience is equated with silence, and where mental health struggles are often met with a dismissive shrug. While this mentality might have once been considered part of the job's "tough" image, the reality in 2024 is apparent: it's outdated, counterproductive, and potentially harmful for both EMS providers and the people they serve. I recently attended a prominent Texas conference, and believe it or not, I was discussing with a couple of EMS leaders who made the comments, "Well, I don't know what they need; they knew what they were getting into, and the other one said, "they just need to get over it." It saddens me that this thought process still exists!

EMS work is as challenging and emotionally taxing as ever. Responders are called to emergencies ranging from minor incidents to life-and-death crises, sometimes multiple times per shift. They witness human suffering in its rawest forms, often without time to process or recover before the next call, yet we wonder why they may like "holding the wall' and not rushing back into service after another call. Really?

The pushback against this mindset is part of a more significant cultural shift. As research and real-world experience continue to illuminate the toll of untreated trauma, stress, and burnout in high-stakes professions, it is clear that asking providers to simply "suck it up" is no longer sustainable. This approach fails to address the unique and severe needs of EMS workers, who have been found to have higher rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and burnout compared to the general population. The buzzword of '"resilience" is being tossed around like candy. Yet, many organizations do not put the muscle or effort into programs that work. It is kind of like putting lipstick on a pig. I hear all too often from the medics in the field that the surface-level programs are just for show,

How the "Suck It Up" Culture Hurts EMS Providers

1. Increased Burnout and High Turnover Rates - Keeping people is a nightmare!
2. Mental Health Impacts and the Risk of PTSD
3. Decreased Quality of Patient Care
4. Perpetuating a Culture of Isolation and Stigma

The Shift Toward Mental Health and Wellness in EMS

The EMS field in 2024 increasingly recognizes that taking care of responders' mental health is crucial for personal and professional longevity. Fortunately, EMS organizations, advocacy groups, and policymakers are working to dismantle the outdated "suck it up" culture and replace it with an environment that prioritizes mental health and wellness. Organizations that genuinely care implement tangibles, not just continued rhetoric and loosely managed programs. Here are some ways the industry is slowly changing:

1. Increased Access to Mental Health Resources
2. Peer Support Programs
3. Mandatory Mental Health Training
4. Promoting Work-Life Balance
5. Recognition of Mental Health as a Professional Priority

Embracing Change: The Future of EMS Culture

Replacing the "suck it up, buttercup" mentality with a culture of support is essential for creating a sustainable EMS workforce. EMS organizations are responsible to their providers and the public to foster environments where workers feel safe, supported, and encouraged to seek help. This shift can benefit both individuals and the entire EMS field, as a healthier workforce leads to better patient care, higher job satisfaction, and improved retention rates.

While progress is still being made, I hope the EMS field is evolving to understand that mental health isn't just a "nice-to-have"; it's essential?to providing effective emergency services. Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, encouraging openness, and offering resources that prioritize psychological health are steps toward a future where EMS workers no longer must "suck it up." Instead, they can work in a field that values their courage, supports their struggles, and empowers them to provide the best care to those in need.

It's time to stop talking about it and do something that works. One more life lost is one life too many!