What is an effect of poor mental health support in EMS agencies?

Higher turnover rates in EMS agencies can be a significant effect of poor mental health support. When mental health resources and support systems are lacking, personnel may experience increased stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation. These factors can lead to dissatisfaction with their jobs, as employees may feel unsupported in dealing with the traumatic and demanding nature of their work.

As a result, employees may decide to leave their positions in search of organizations that offer better mental health support or work environments. This higher turnover rate can negatively impact an agency's operations, as the continuous turnover requires ongoing recruitment and training of new staff. Moreover, a team with high turnover may struggle with continuity in care, team cohesion, and overall organizational knowledge, further exacerbating the challenges faced in emergency medical services.

In contrast, effective mental health support in EMS can lead to improved job satisfaction, enhanced communication among staff members, and greater employee efficiency, as personnel feel more supported and capable of managing the demands of their roles.