PITTSBURGH —

Disturbing mortality data released by the Centers for Disease Control suggest that first responders constantly battle with the idea of ending their own lives, far more than the general public.

"First responders in the U.S. generally have higher suicide rates and a greater prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to the general population. In fact, firefighters and law enforcement officers are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty," says a CDC 2021 report. Advertisement

Four years later, much hasn't changed, based on interviews with current and retired first responders who talked with Pittsburgh's Action News 4: the byproduct of what they see, hear, and experience on the job.

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Mark Kneebone, a retired poli

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