Together we are stronger; Improving mental health supports for emergency responders and their families.

MANAGEMENT OF WORKLOAD
Task priority levels set with a realistic work plan
Existing workload delegated so workers not attempting disaster response and usual job

BALANCED LIFESTYLE
Physical exercise and muscle stretching when possible
Nutritional eating, avoiding excessive junk food, caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco
Adequate sleep and rest, especially on longer assignments
Contact and connection maintained with primary social supports

STRESS REDUCTION STRATEGIES
Reducing physical tension by taking deep breaths, calming self through meditation, walking mindfully
Using time off for exercise, reading, listening to music, taking a bath, talking to family, getting a special meal-to recharge batteries
Talking about emotions and reactions with coworkers during appropriate times

SELF-AWARENESS
Early warning signs for stress reactions recognized and heeded
Acceptance that one may not be able to self-assess problematic stress reactions
Over identification with survivors'/victims' grief and trauma may result in avoiding discussing painful material
Understanding differences between professional helping relationships and friendships
Examination of personal prejudices and cultural stereotypes
Vicarious traumatization or compassion fatigue may develop
Recognition of when own disaster experience or losses interfere with effectiveness

STEPS TO STAY HEALTHY AND ALERT
Plan meals and make healthy eating choices, and stop eating high-calorie fast food.
Plan vacation and downtime.
See your doctor regularly for checkups.
Share the workload and reduce the amount of overtime.
Live within your means so that “moonlighting” that second job is not necessary.
Create a realistic exercise program and form healthy habits.
Create a “Patrol Buddy” program and make time to check on each other.
Keep your civilian friends and get away from the job (no shop talk on downtime).

Humanizing the Badge is a 501(c)3 non profit organization on mission to help forge stronger relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. We're engaging that mission through community service projects on a national level (PROJECT:HUMAN), providing free, confidential online support for first responders and their families that reach out to deal with the unique stresses of the job (The 227 Project) and engaging social media content through our pages and the pages of content creators that are part of our cause.

Behavioral care treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. At the IAFF Center for Excellence, we’re uniquely attuned to the challenges you face as you deal with the rigors of the job.
We treat the whole person from the inside out. Our staff is qualified to treat co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD, depression and anxiety, to ensure success during recovery.
Our goal is to get you back to living the life you deserve. We’ll work with you to develop individualized treatment and recovery plans to get you there.

To glorify God in the fire service by building relationships that turn the hearts and minds of first responders to Christ (Philippians 2:11), equipping them to serve Him (Ephesians 4:12).

Formed in January 2018, Ryan Gallik & Associates (RG&A) has one primary objective – and that is “to help protect those who protect us”.  We provide specialized occupational safety, health, and wellness consulting services to help keep our nation’s first responders safe.

Survive First is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, whose mission is to assist first responders and families who need mental health support from the impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and substance abuse.  Through education and appropriate treatment planning and placement,we walk with our brothers and sisters on the road to wellness and recovery.
Our vision is to reduce first responder suicide and save lives by ensuring that first responders receive the mental health support they need in order to live healthy and happy lives.

We are a group of military veterans, first responders, and medical professionals, who have come together to form a team to assist others celebrate stories of sacrifice and heroism and to provide needed assistance separate and outside the fire stations, police stations, and military installations. We have an extensive network of the right medical professionals and counselors in place that specifically deal with the unique nature of trauma often times experienced by our nations military and emergency service personnel.

Safe Call Now is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral  service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide.
Make a Safe Call Now:  206-459-3020

The NVFC’s Share the Load™ program provides access to critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems. This includes the Fire/EMS Helpline, which offers free 24-hour assistance with issues such as stress, depression, addiction, PTSD, and more.

Code 4 Northwest provides a comprehensive and holistic community of confidential support to people within the first responder and critical care family. Through prevention, education, awareness and crisis response, Code4NW will enhance the resilience of the individual, the organizations and the communities they serve.

Join host Sean Conohan (formerly of Uptalk Podcast) as he chips away at the stigma associated with mental illness in the first responder world, one inspirational guest at a time.

The Trauma Center provides comprehensive services to traumatized children and adults and their families at the main office in Brookline. In addition to clinical services, The Trauma Center offers training, consultation, and educational programming for post-graduate mental health professionals. Our Certificate Program in Traumatic Stress Studies has state-of-the-art seminars, lectures and supervision groups.

Code 9 Project teaches police officers and their families about stress management and PTSD awareness. They travel the country to teach those who help others. 

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for responders at the WTC and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, and survivors who were in the New York City disaster area.

24/7 Firefighter & Family Crisis and Support Line - 844-525-FIRE (3473)     
Firestrong Membership and Business Line - 800-277-5670 

​COPLINE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving law enforcement officers and their families by providing 24/7 trained peer support for crisis intervention along with referrals to specifically skilled mental health professionals for follow up and continued assistance. COPLINE offers a CONFIDENTIAL 24-hour hotline answered by retired law enforcement officers who have access to continuous critical clinical support in order to help callers through the initial crisis as well as provide ongoing assistance with the successful management of various psychosocial stressors that impact a significant number of law enforcement officers and families throughout the U.S

Our goal is to provide first responders and their families tools to reduce personal and family stress, encourage appropriate career decisions and reduce the effects of traumatic incident stress on an individual's life. 
FRSN is a collaboration of first responder peers (included but not limited to police, fire, corrections, dispatch, and emergency medical services), SOS peers, culturally competent mental health clinicians, and chaplains; all of these individuals volunteer their time. We encourage you to contact us if you or someone you know is in need of assistance.

Begin your first online counseling session wherever you are most comfortable. Using any laptop, smartphone or tablet with a camera you can login using our discreet and secure software. Online counseling gives you the freedom to get help anywhere. Don't bother going into an office, sit down on your own couch and meet with one of our therapists.

First Responder Resources

C.O.P.S.S. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide CARE and SUPPORT for Law Enforcement Suicide Survivors and Suicide Prevention Training for Law Enforcement.

The First Responder Institute (FRI) is a non profit organization dedicated to providing leadership and support to the nation's First Responders through programs of instruction and education. FRI's public service programs focus on helping First Responders improve their job-related skills and capacities.

Warriors Heart® provides private treatment to adult men and women 18 and older who are seeking inpatient treatment for chemical dependency, alcohol abuse, and co-occurring psychological disorders relating to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or the psychological effects of MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury).

The Warriors Heart treatment center is located in San Antonio, where we only treat active military, veterans, firefighters, police, EMTs, and active members from across the United States that belong to organizations that protect and serve the citizens of the United States.Type your paragraph here.

This website offers resources and services for the First Responder community to understand the various steps of a PTSD program from managing a crisis through to implementing best practices into an existing program.

Our primary goal is raising awareness of the high rates of mental health issues that affect first responders. Due to the stresses first responders are exposed to, they have increased rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicide. In addition, we aim to provide education for responders on multiple mental health related topics including how to look out for themselves and their peers, how to talk to someone in crisis, reducing stress, improving resilience, and how to access mental health care.

Courage Affects Responders Everyday aka C.A.R.E., was started back in 2015 by founder and owner Heather Harp.  Our mission is to shed light on the taboo topic of PTSD and Suicide awareness among first responders, who have suffered in silence for way to long. We want to see more resources available for public safety to reach out to for help without repercussions. We are currently getting certified in vast areas of CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) and putting teams together that can help individuals and departments after bad calls.

Join us in our mission to research, educate and be the change we want to see in our world. We are the only ones who can make a difference for our civilization of EMS... our family.

Fire Engineering Magazine's been devoted to the training interests of firefighters since 1877. Now we're on the airwaves.

With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, the IAFF represents more than 313,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics in more than 3,200 affiliates. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The IAFF is also one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington, DC. The IAFF Political Action Committee, FIREPAC, is among the top one-half of one percent of the nearly 6,000 federally registered PACs in the country.

The Florida House Experience (FHE) is a healthcare institution that delivers quality, medically integrated personalized treatment for those suffering with Behavioral Health Disorders. We specialize in addictive disorders and other behavioral health diagnoses such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety, and traumatic disorders. We employ a team of highly qualified, compassionate individuals who share in the desire to serve this vulnerable population. We provide innovative treatment by creating an environment that promotes healing and optimized learning.

The mission of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance is to collaborate, develop and implement behavioral health awareness, prevention, intervention, and post crisis strategies to provide firefighters with an easily accessible and confidential source of information.

The On-Site Academy is a non-profit residential treatment and training center for critical incident stress management. We serve emergency service workers who are in distress. Our program is for all law enforcement, fire service, EMS, or other human service personnel who are themselves temporarily overwhelmed by the stress of their jobs, what they have seen, and what they have been through.

We have a National Helpline that provides access to confidential support, resources and referrals any time day or night by phone for first responders and their families.
1-844-550-HERO (4376)  24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is a method of helping first responders and others who have been involved in critical incidents that leave them emotionally and/or physically affected by those incidents.  CISM is a process that enables peers to help their peers understand problems that might occur after an event.  This process also helps people prepare to continue to perform their services or in some cases return to a normal lifestyle. ICISF provides training for individuals interested in becoming a part of a crisis management team, or for an organization that is dedicated to helping individuals or groups recover from incidents.  Read this primer written by ICISF’s founders (Dr. George Everly & Dr. Jeff Mitchell), who pioneered Critical Incident Stress Management, which provides an in-depth overview into CISM.

24/7 Peer Support; First Responder Support Hotline:  267 - 893 - 5400