Public Safety Wellness
First Responder wellness is at the core of everything we do.
Support That Saves Training
Wellness and Resiliency for First Responders Program
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has established a Wellness and Resiliency Program for first responders. The program’s primary goal is to train first responders in culturally competent, trauma-informed, peer-supportive care, so they are prepared to support mental health needs in their communities via face-to-face peer support networks. The program’s secondary goal is to offer ongoing support to the broader first responder community via policy and peer-support program development initiatives. TEEX customizes the assistance to each department’s current and forecasted mental health program needs, and solutions may include a comprehensive program or refining an existing program.
Building a Foundation
Education is the first step in building an effective peer support program. TEEX has developed Support That Saves, a three-day training opportunity that covers all elements of building and maintaining an effective peer support program. Department employees are invited to complete a Needs Survey consisting of 16 yes or no questions and five short answer questions. The responses are compiled into a report that provides stakeholders with information about the unique challenges faced.
Ongoing Support
TEEX program leaders receive ongoing support in areas such as, policy creation, assistance and program development, including building the peer team, constructing peer applications and identifying team members.
Research Related to the Effectiveness of Peer Support
Suicide and self-harm are vital to address when working with first responders, as police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and telecommunicators are at a greater risk of suicide than members of the general public. This increase is often associated with repeated exposure to traumatic events, unresolved stress and depression, and the stigma surrounding treatment for mental health concerns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1, law enforcement officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Additionally, between 17% and 24% of public safety telecommunicators have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and 24% have symptoms of depression.
Peer support programs provide many benefits to first responders, including acknowledging the difficulties of response work, strengthening teams and equipping them to cope effectively. Peer support programs:
- Provide training to identify risk factors for behavioral and mental health problems.
- Reduce stigma by encouraging conversations surrounding mental health and normalizing difficult experiences.
- Create an environment where people feel comfortable approaching one another.
- Link peers to outside professional resources for additional care when necessary.
Program Information
Contact Us
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