Challenges and interventions in emergency medical services: A multidimensional approach to promoting mental health

Interactive tasks, especially in professions that provide assistance, are associated with numerous stressors that can lead to increased stress and psychological strain. Emergency service personnel are particularly affected by stressors that cause intense psychological burdens. Their work requires a high degree of emotional and cognitive effort due to the continuous confrontation with emergencies and potentially traumatic events. Key stress factors include physical exertion, long working hours, high responsibility, and lack of control over the work environment. Particularly stressful are assignments involving infants, children, or individuals from their social circle. Frequent alarms and insufficient recovery times further exacerbate these stressors. Emergency service personnel are more frequently affected by psychological disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and burnout compared to individuals in similar professions. To promote the psychosocial health of emergency service personnel, health-promoting structures, specific prevention programs, and peer support programs are essential. A multidimensional approach to psychosocial support is crucial to improving job satisfaction, health, and work capacity of emergency service personnel in the long term.