First responders in a Texas town are struggling to cope with the trauma of recovering bodies from the Rio Grande

MicroWave@lemmy.world to News@lemmy.world – 304 points –
First responders in a Texas town are struggling to cope with the trauma of recovering bodies from the Rio Grande
nbcnews.com

After a record-breaking year of migrant crossings, Eagle Pass is applying for a grant to help pay for therapy and other mental health services.

The crisis unfolding at the U.S.-Mexico border since last year has spilled over into the fire engines and ambulances of a small Texas town.

First responders in Eagle Pass say they are overwhelmed and increasingly traumatized by what they see: parents drowned or dying, their children barely holding onto life after attempting to cross the Rio Grande.

The emotional strain on firefighters and EMTs has grown so great that city officials have applied for a state grant that would bring in additional mental health resources for front-line workers.

34

You are viewing a single comment

I'm sure the spikes and other barriers that were put there by the state of texas have nothing to do with the number of deaths.

How's that relate to the first responders?

Who do you think goes out on these calls? I’d guess most people are injured and then perish.

Not sure what you mean. How does the experience of the first responder, and their responsibilities on a call, relate to political or other border patrol concerns?

Because they'd be the ones cleaning up after those who put in the objects causing death or injuries

Right but why is this being discussed related to an article about their mental health? They had nothing to do with creating the barrier. The top comment implies the terrible border is some surprise detail, or that they are involved with that. They are just trying to help people

Specifically the "nothing to do with" as if it's a gotcha statement.

The top level comment is sarcastic. The barriers put up by US Conservatives are causing death and injury in the Rio Grande river crossing. Their comment is bringing attention to that. The article is about the mental health of first responders who are dealing with mental trauma because they are the ones who have to remove the dead or dying bodies from the river.