When there is an emergency, we all count on someone being there to respond to the call for help. These events not only impact the community but also profoundly impact the first responders who respond to the calls for help. First responders focus on taking care of others, often at the expense of their own self-care. As a result, first responders face an increased risk of experiencing behavioral health issues, including mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

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Peer Support is part of an overall wellness strategy that is designed to help first responders stay in the fight emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. The team strives to help mitigate the risks of burnout, vicarious trauma, and moral injury from their profession's day-to-day activities and events.

 

First responders provide the best care in a critical situation when responding to those in:

• a mental health crisis when they are taking care of their own mental health,

• a physical crisis when they are physically at their optimal health,

• traumatic circumstances when they are spiritually experiencing love, empathy, peace, sobriety, and purpose through God as their higher power.