Navigating Death Notifications and Mental Health in Emergency Services

In this episode of Just Little Salt, Dr. Alexandra Jabr, founder of Emergency Resilience and a licensed paramedic, shines a light on the challenges of delivering death notifications in emergency medical services. Drawing from years on the front lines and her advanced studies in health and depth psychology, Dr. Jabr, a new member of the JEMS Advisory Board, discusses why clear and compassionate communication is crucial and exposes common mistakes that can worsen an already painful moment. Beyond the call, she tackles the emotional toll first responders face—from coping with repeated trauma to battling numbness and isolation—and the importance of mental health support, including the emerging role of ketamine therapy. She also shares personal stories, her injury-induced career pivot, and her passion for education and advocacy.