A focus on suicide prevention in public safety

As we mark Suicide Prevention Awareness month, see what public safety and others are doing to address suicide among first responders. 

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Hand on person's shoulder

FirstNet Health and Wellness Program

"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."

~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Read the white paper

Learn about ROG the Dog
Back of policeman, with "POLICE" in white on his back, facing two firefighters.

First Responders are real people with real stories

Hear how they’re transforming and growing from traumatic stress.

Watch our Struggle Well Series

The FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition

We launched the FirstNet Health and Wellness Program (FNHWP) officially in May 2020 . We recognized the need to formalize efforts to support first responder health and wellness through advocacy, identifying available resources and building relationships. So guiding the FNHWP is the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition (the Coalition), which is made up of more than 2 dozen organizations from public safety, academia, and industry.

 

Helping First Responders make mental health a priority

Bridging the Treatment Gap: Peer support for first responders

July 12, 2023

It is essential to offer opportunities for first responders to connect with peers from outside their department, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident in seeking support.

Firefighter standing next to truck

Compass: The compounding effect of trauma in the fire service

March 20, 2023

Compass is like having a small maintenance dose of medicine. But also having a panic button at the same time. If things get bad, I can hit this panic button.

Ian Parkinson

FirstNet: The power behind San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s public safety response

April 12, 2023

Our deputies and investigators carry phones that are on FirstNet, giving them reliable access to information even when they are outside of their cars.

ResponderStrong™ Mental Health Train the Trainer Workshop Nov. 19th

Medical wellness champions and ambassadors - Join us virtually (PDF) for this highly regarded program being implemented across the nation to bolster resiliency, erode stigma, and decrease stress injury: burnout, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
 

Greg Fuller - Fire Chief, City of Huntington, WV

A firefighter's mental well-being is critical to their ability to perform on a long career

March 20, 2023

The fire service is one of those professions where you are able to make a difference in people's lives – to take really bad situations when people may be suffering and make them better.

Austin Sanders - Director, Compass, City of Huntington

Compass: Prioritizing first responder wellness in the City of Huntington

March 20, 2023

First responders put their lives on the line daily to protect their communities. But the job takes a toll on their physical and mental health.

You are not alone. Shining the light on suicide prevention efforts in public safety.

Suicide prevention awareness

Struggle well series

First responders in Miami-Dade County sat down with us to share their traumatic experiences and how the Boulder Crest Foundation Struggle Well program helped them cope. Listen to their stories.

Connecting you when and where it matters most

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Articles

Additional news

Safety and wellness apps

  • Better App

    Better is a powerful mental health app that gives you all the information you need for a better life and better sleep.

    Learn more

  • Better Stop Suicide

    We’ve designed this app to simply help you press your own stop button should suicidal thoughts come to you.

    Learn more

  • Cordico

    Cordico is the world leader in wellness technology for high-stress professions, providing trusted, confidential, 24/7 proactive and preventive wellness support for those serving in the most demanding and critical roles.

    Learn more

  • Lighthouse Health and Wellness

    Lighthouse Health & Wellness was designed to provide our first responders, public safety agencies and those that support them anonymous access to existing health and wellness programs.

    Learn more

  • O2X Human Performance

    The O2X Human Performance app encourages users to make healthy choices daily.

    Learn more

  • Responder Rel8

    First responder peer-to-peer chat app.

    Learn more

  • VALOR Officer Safety

    The VALOR Officer Safety App is today’s law enforcement officers’ tool for success.

    Learn more

Animal-assisted therapy

Close-up of ROG the Dog (full-sized white poodle breed), with black  Therapy Dog vest/harness, staring to the left.

ROG the Dog, the FirstNet therapy dog

Animal-assisted therapy for first responders:

  • Has a positive impact on mental and physical health
  • Improves coping and recovery from critical events
  • Enhances morale in departments
  • Decreases emotional distress and anxiety
  • Reduces the negative impacts from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS)

Resources

Downloadable resources

RESOURCES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

All Clear Foundation

Helping others is second nature. Ensure you do the same for yourself.

RESOURCES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

All Clear Foundation

Helping others is second nature. Ensure you do the same for yourself.

ResponderStrong™ Mental Health Train the Trainer Workshop Nov. 19th

Medical wellness champions and ambassadors - Join us virtually (PDF) for this highly regarded program being implemented across the nation to bolster resiliency, erode stigma, and decrease stress injury: burnout, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
 

ResponderStrong™ Mental Health Train the Trainer Workshop Nov. 19th

Medical wellness champions and ambassadors - Join us virtually (PDF) for this highly regarded program being implemented across the nation to bolster resiliency, erode stigma, and decrease stress injury: burnout, compassion fatigue, anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
 

RESOURCES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

All Clear Foundation

Helping others is second nature. Ensure you do the same for yourself.