First responder occupations tend to pull for very resilient individuals, but current data suggests that the impact of repeated exposure to trauma takes its toll eventually for many in the form of post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, substance use, injury, suicidal ideation, and many other health issues.

Unfortunately, first responder organizations are in their infancy in recognizing the needs and developing programs that support the behavioral health of their personnel. Large-scale natural and manmade disasters are challenging environments where both individuals and communities need help in coordinating and organizing response efforts in a way that supports post-traumatic growth and resilience.

There are few national resource personnel available who have the institutional knowledge and experience to respond to these needs. Many who were on the front lines of events like the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Katrina have retired out of their jobs and, with them, is gone the experience and lessons learned on organizing a response.

Our mission is to work on local, regional, and national levels to support first responders and communities before, during, and after disasters to bolster individual, organizational, and community resilience.

Teach the next generation about how to coordinate responses to disasters

Train a broad range of professionals on peer support approaches

Collaborate with first responder organizations struggling to find resources, tools, and direction to build and bolster their behavioral health programs.

No matter how resilient the individual, these circumstance affect the behavioral health of first responders, putting them at risk for increased stress, PTSD, depression, substance use, and suicide ideation and attempts.

We are extremely honored to lead the charge in behavioral health solutions for first responders. To keep our communities safe is a collective responsibility. Join us in supporting first responders and communities before, during, and after disasters.