First responders in crisis: a resource to help them

This post is sponsored by Help For Our Heroes- Transformations Treatment Center. All opinions are honest and my own.

Let’s face it, first responders experience more trauma and stress on the job than most of us see in a lifetime. Many first responders choose this career because they want to make a difference, help others or feel called to serve. Unfortunately, though, because of this career, many men and women can incur stress or mental health-related issues that are compacted over time.

Suicide in first responders is rising at an alarming rate and we MUST make resources accessible in order to help any first responder in crisis. Whether that help is for depression, PTSD, anxiety, anger problems, other mental health issues or substance abuse.

However, it is no secret that it can be hard for first responders in crisis to ask for help. They are afraid that they will lose their badge, their career, their passion, so they keep these emotions inside. Some are even told to “buck up & push through” or “be a man”.

What they need to be told is that they are HUMAN and what they are going through matters.

Let me make this clear: it is NOT wrong to ask for help. We all go through struggles in life and needing someone to talk to about those struggles is important. Our mental health needs as much care as our physical health does.

Whether you (as the first responder) or your spouse is experiencing mental health or substance abuse issues compacted by the job, there is help and you aren’t alone.

Help For Our Heroes:

A program specifically designed to help first responders called Help For Our Heroes is a well-known and nationally recognized treatment program for military and first responders. It is a live-in treatment program (part of Transformations Treatment Center) in Florida with a clinical building, residence suites and villas.

Help For Our Heroes is run by a licensed therapist and former first responder that knows the true challenges that first responders are faced with daily. To me, this is incredibly important. No one understands the struggles that first responders (& their families) face quite like a fellow first responder. There is just this unspoken understanding and bond between first responders. You can go into a conversation feeling like you are already a few steps ahead because you don’t have to spend time explaining the stresses of your career- it’s already understood.

At Help For Our Heroes, they serve a variety of patients including corrections officers, law enforcement, firefighters, military (active & veteran), EMTs and emergency personnel. They also are trained to help first responders in crisis that are dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, alcohol abuse and much more.

Image credit goes to: https://www.ratedradardetector.org/

As a client, you will attend individual and group meetings at the clinical building with your therapist to improve your mental, emotional and physical health. When clients are not at the clinical building, they can have a relaxing stay at one of the client residency buildings just minutes away from the clinical building and a short drive from the beach.

Hope For Our Heroes has a magnitude of treatment options available tailored to your specific needs including partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs for long-term success, and follow-up outpatient programs for continued care & treatment with your assigned therapist.

The program accepts most insurance providers and they are willing to answer any questions you may have.

Remember, you (or your loved one) doesn’t have to struggle. Instead, you or your loved one can be provided with this resource to begin a journey of leading a healthier life.

You can get more information about Help For Our Heroes here.

Disclaimer: The information written in this article is not medical advice, just research presented by the author. I am not a therapist or doctor nor do I have a medical background in any way. Please read our full disclaimer and disclosure policy.

If you or someone you know is suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.