Firefighter shares his struggles with PTSD

Gallery: Former firefighter, Brian Cristofono, spent time doing homework at a coffee shop, Thursday, March 29, 2018 in Plymouth, MN. After leaving the fire department with a PTSD diagnosis, Cristofono now speaks to different fire departments about the mental risks of the job and is now retired and working to get a degree in nursing.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono spoke with firefighters from the Brooklyn Center Fire Department after he gave a presentation on his PTSD, Monday, March 26, 2018 in Plymouth, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono became emotional as he spoke about his battle with depression and thoughts of suicide with firefighters from the Brooklyn Center Fire Department after he gave a presentation on his PTSD, Monday, March 26, 2018 in Plymouth, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono, left, spoke with firefighters from the Brooklyn Center Fire Department after he gave a presentation on his PTSD, Monday, March 26, 2018 in Plymouth, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono picked up his son Eddie, 11, from school so that he could have lunch with him and spend time with him, Wednesday, April 4, 2018 in Chanhassen, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono said goodbye to his son Eddie, 11, after having lunch with him Wednesday, April 4, 2018 in Chanhassen, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono was all smiles as he hung out with his fiancé Joanna Pluszcz, cq, and her children, Friday, March 30, 2018 in Maple Grove, MN.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono hung out with his fiancé's daughters on a school vacation day as he listened to Poppy, 6, play the piano as her older sister Bristol, 8, danced, Friday, March 30, 2018 in Maple Grove, MN.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono hung out with his fiancé and her daughters on a school vacation day including from left, Poppy, 6 and twins Bristol, 8 and Brooklyn, 8, Friday, March 30, 2018 in Maple Grove, MN.

Gallery: After the stress of speaking about PTSD, former firefighter, Brian Cristofono, took his energy to the gym to work out with his fiancé Joanna, Monday, March 26, 2018 in Plymouth, MN.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono, took to the gym for a workout after he gave a presentation on his PTSD at a Brooklyn Center Fire Department, Monday, March 26, 2018 in Plymouth, MN. Traumas from being a firefighter, the one he dreamed of as a kid, led to a severe PTSD diagnosis, costing him both his marriage and his work. In his 13 years on the job, three colleagues killed themselves. Twice he put a gun to his own head. Now, Cristofono is sharing his story about the plight firefighters face and the lack of job coverage for those who suffer from PTSD in Minnesota. Nationwide, firefighters are more likely to take their own lives than die in the line of duty. Like other first responders, they're more than twice as likely to commit suicide than the general population. In Minnesota, momentum is slowly building to address these troubling trends, with Cristofono as a leading voice.

Gallery: Brian Cristofono held up a photo of himself when he was a firefighter at the lake in Chanhassen where he almost took his own life several years ago, Wednesday, April 4, 2018.