SUMMARY - Emergency Medical Services
Consider the perspective of Elena, a paramedic in Vancouver who responds to her twelfth call of the night, most of which involve individuals with chronic mental health crises or substance use disorders who require stabilization rather than acute medical intervention. For Elena, the emergency system is a holding pattern, a place where she can provide immediate safety but cannot address the root causes of the distress, leading to professional burnout and a sense of systemic futility.