The weight of words: a scoping review of depression and suicidal ideation among 911 call takers and dispatchers

Health Justice. 2025 Nov 7;13(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s40352-025-00376-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Communicators in public safety, such as 911 telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers, and police and fire dispatchers, frequently deal with distressing calls, traumatic narratives, and high-stakes decisions. Despite not being physically present at crisis scenes, these experts endure psychological stress on par with first responders. This scoping review examines the prevalence and determinants of depression and suicidal ideation among public safety communicators and their co-occurrence, summarizes the occupational and personal risk factors contributing to these outcomes, and evaluates proposed mitigation strategies.

RESULTS: The research indicates that depression is reported at elevated rates in this workforce, ranging from 8.4% to 73%, depending on the population and the sensitivity of the instrument, based on 11 quantitative studies published between 1995 and 2025. Although less studied, suicidal ideation appears to be significantly higher in this group compared to the general population. Contributing factors include indirect trauma exposure, shift work, emotional suppression, organizational neglect, and a history of trauma. The frequent co-occurrence of depression and suicidal ideation supports the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide as a relevant explanatory framework.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite accumulating evidence, research is methodologically limited due to cross-sectional designs, inconsistent screening tools, and sample homogeneity. Existing interventions, such as peer support, debriefing, and trauma-informed training, are inconsistently applied and under-evaluated. The findings highlight a pressingneed for longitudinal research, targeted interventions, and workplace reforms that take into account the unique psychological burdens associated with communicator roles. Addressing depression and suicide risk among these professionals is critical to ensuring both workforce well-being and the continued effectiveness of public safety systems.

PMID:41201535 | DOI:10.1186/s40352-025-00376-y