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.

  • rdyoung@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    76
    ·
    4 months ago

    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.

        • GBU_28@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          4 months ago

          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?

            • GBU_28@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              edit-2
              4 months ago

              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.

              • doctorcrimson@lemmy.today
                link
                fedilink
                arrow-up
                11
                ·
                edit-2
                4 months ago

                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.