Resource Guide
GRATITUDE
With gratitude in our hearts, we write to you, First Responders and their significant others/spouses are often exposed directly and indirectly to the worst of humanity, and to incredible suffering that accompanies each crisis and distress call. It takes a certain kind of individual and family unit to sign up for this calling, and it is often a thankless job, with many unsung heroes. You, whoever you are, have devoted your life to a helping cause, whether you are out in the field or waiting at home to support the tragedies your partner has endured. Our group, which includes two first responder spouses, one of whom volunteers with an organization that provides support for first responders and their spouses, wants to acknowledge the importance of providing supportive coping and mental health resources for this demographic. This brochure* is our very small way of saying thank you, and of giving back to you and your family. We hope this will provide some support, community, and hope to you in times of need. We thank you for your support and your service,
WHAT’S INSIDE Dealing with Trauma p. 4 Treatment Related Resources p. 5 Building Social Bonds p. 8 Advocacy Groups p. 9 Health Capsule p. 10 Books p. 11 Children’s Books p. 11 Social Media p. 11 Articles p. 12
DEALING WITH TRAUMA RECOVERING FROM FRIGHTENING EVENTS
Source: National Institute of Health It’s natural to be afraid after something scary or dangerous happens. When you feel you’re in danger, your body responds with a rush of chemicals that make you more alert. This is called the “flight or fight” response. It helps us survive life-threatening events. But the brain’s response to frightening events can also lead to chronic problems. This can include trouble sleeping; feeling on edge frequently; being very easily startled, anxious, or jumpy; having flashbacks; or avoiding things that remind you of the event. Sometimes these symptoms go away after a few weeks. But sometimes they last much longer. If symptoms last more than a month and become severe enough to interfere with relationships or work, it may be a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. “There are real neurobiological consequences of trauma that are associated with PTSD,” explains Dr. Farris Tuma, who oversees the NIH traumatic stress research program. NIH-funded researchers are uncovering the biology behind these brain changes and looking for ways to prevent and treat PTSD. To read the remainder of this article visit: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/06/dealing-trauma
TREATMENT RELATED RESOURCES
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Phone: 800-273-8255 About: The lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for those in distress or in need of help for their loved ones. Crisis Text Line
Website: www.crisistextline.org Phone: text BADGE to 741741 About: A text will connect you with a trained crisis counselor, 24/7. IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery
Website: www.iarecoverycenter.com Phone: 855-900-8437 About: IAFF Behavioral Health Treatment provides in-patient care for IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) members struggling with PTSD, substance abuse, addiction, depression, anxiety and other behavioral health conditions. It is located in Marlboro, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.
1st Help Website: www.1sthelp.net About: 1st Help matches first responders with appropriate services based on a brief questionnaire, which determines what specific assistance you need (emotional, financial, religious, etc.) Safe Call Now Website: www.safecallnow.org Phone: 206-459-3020 About: Safe Call is a 24-hour crisis referral service for those in public safety and their family members. Warriors Heart Website: www.warriorsheart.com Phone: 888-438-6616 About: Warriors Heart provides inpatient and outpatient care by by serving adult men and women veterans, active duty military, US law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and first responders. They specialize in substance abuse treatment and co-occurring psychological and moral injury. It is located in San Antonio, Texas.
First Responder Support Network Website: www.frsn.org Phone: 415-721-9789 About: FRSN provides educational support via 6 day residential treatment programs for first responders and their partners. Serve & Protect
Website: https://serveprotect.org Phone: 615-373-8000 About: for the crisis line - Serve & Protect helps connect public safety professionals with trauma services. Cops Alive
Website: www.copsalive.com About: Cops Alive provides resources and strategies to help cops live happy and successful lives. National Volunteer Fire Council Share the Load Program for Fire and EMS -- Fire/EMS Helpline Website: www.nvfc.org Phone: 888-731-FIRE About: The NVFC’s Share the Load Program provides access to resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and workrelated problems. This includes the Fire/EMS Helpline, which offers free 24-hour assistance with issues such as stress, depression, addiction, PTSD and more. CopLine Website: www.copline.org Phone: 800-267-5463 About: CopLine is a 24/7 service that will connect you to a peer support counselor.
First Responders Recovery Website: www.firstrespondersrecovery.com Phone: 866-756-4673 About: First Responders Recovery is a substance abuse treatment center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida designed specifically to first responders and their unique needs, whether it be drug or alcohol addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety. They are open to current and former first responders only, fostering a supportive environment for those who dedicate their lives to risking their lives and serving their communities. Badge of Life National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website: www.badgeoflife.org Phone: 800-273-TALK (8255) About: Badge of Life focuses on educating and training law enforcement mental health and suicide prevention. Rosecrance Website: www.rosecrance.org/ firefighter-behavioral-health Phone: 888-928-5278 About: Rosecrance Florian Program is dedicated to offering inpatient and outpatient services to firefighters and paramedics who need substance abuse treatment and who also need care for job related PTSD, anxiety, depression and other behavioral health issues. The program is housed in Rockford, Illinois.
Treatment Placement Specialists
Website: www.treatmentplacementspecialist.co m/first-responders Phone: 877-540-3935 About: This program offers treatment guidance based on the individual needs of officers. VALOR
Website: www.valorforblue.org/ HOME About: The Valor Officer Safety and Wellness program is a Bureau of Justice Assistance funded initiative that provides resources and online training focused on improving officer health and resilience. Bayside Marin
Website: www.baysidemarin.com/ programs/first-responder Phone: 855-591-5941 About: Bayside Marin Treatment Center, located in the Marin area, provides inpatient treatment to help first responder men and women overcome PTSD, chemical dependency concerns, and other mental health issues that are known to affect this population.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Website: https:// www.hazeldenbettyford.org/ treatment/models/specializedprograms/first-responders Phone: 1-844-316-8326 About: Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation provides inpatient and outpatient care with a specialized addiction treatment program for first responders. The program integrates the latest research and evidencebased practices, providing clinical care and recovery support to help with addiction and extreme levels of stress and trauma. Fire Service Psychology Association Website: info@firepsychology.org Phone: 626-765-4951 About: provides education and behavioral health support for those in the fire service as well as for clinicians.
TIPS TO HELP WITH TRAUMA Source: NIH adapted from SAMHSA • Talk with others about how you feel. Don’t isolate yourself. • Calm yourself. Try meditation or deep breathing exercises. Do physical activity, like walking or yoga. • Take care of yourself. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy diet. Drink enough water. • Avoid using alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. • Get back to your daily routine. Do the things you would normally do, even if you don’t feel like it. • Get involved in your community. Volunteering is a great way to create a sense of meaning. • Get help if symptoms persist. Talk with a mental health professional. • If you’re trying to help a friend, listen and find out where they are in the coping process. Try to accept their feelings and help in any way you can.
BUILDING SOCIAL BONDS CONNECTIONS THAT PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Source: National Institute Health Strong, healthy relationships are important throughout your life. Your social ties with family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others impact your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. “We can’t underestimate the power of a relationship in helping to promote well-being,” says NIH psychologist and relationship expert Dr. Valerie Maholmes. Studies have found that having a variety of social relationships may help reduce stress and heart-related risks. Strong social ties are even linked to a longer life. On the other hand, loneliness and social isolation are linked to poorer health, depression, and increased risk of early death. As a child you learn the social skills you need to form and maintain relationships with others. But at any age you can learn ways to improve your relationships. NIH funds research to find out what causes unhealthy relationship behavior. Researchers have created community, family, and schoolbased programs to help people learn to have healthier relationships. These programs also help prevent abuse and violence toward others. —To read the remainder of this article that describes healthy relationships and how they serve to protect one’s well being visit: https:// newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/04/building-social-bonds
ADVOCACY GROUPS
Blue H.E.L.P.
Website: https://bluehelp.org Phone: About: Blue H.E.L.P. is an organization working to reduce mental health stigma in law enforcement and raise awareness of the problem of suicide in law enforcement. Badge of Life
Website: www.badgeoflife.org About: Badge of Life focuses on education and training agencies on mental health and suicide prevention in law enforcement. Code 9 Project
Website: www.code9project.com Phone: 929-244-9911 About: Code 9 Project provides education, support, training and selfhelp tools to all Public Safety personnel and their families for the purpose of managing and reducing the compressive side eects, such as PTSD and suicide.
Fire Rescue
Website: www.firerescue1.com About: Fire Rescue1 provides firefighters with information and resources to help them stay safe. Code Green Campaign
Website: www.codegreencampaign.com About: Code Green Campaign is a mental health advocacy and education organization for all first responders. They raise awareness of the high rates of mental health issues that aect first responders and they educate first responders about reducing stress, improving resilience and how to access mental health care. The Not OK project
Website: www.notokproject.org About: This organization raises awareness to stop first responder suicides. Police One
Website: www.policeone.com About: Police One provides law enforcement with information and resources to help them stay safe.
HEALTH CAPSULE
COPING WITH TRAUMATIC EVENTS
Source: National Institute of Health Trauma can affect both your body and your mind. A traumatic event might be a personal tragedy, such as being in a car crash or losing a loved one. It could be a public tragedy, such as the Boston Marathon bombing or a natural disaster. Just seeing or hearing about devastating events can feel distressing, even if you aren’t personally involved. People respond to crises in different ways. It’s common to feel sad, vulnerable or anxious. But if you continue to feel afraid and upset weeks or months later, consider seeking professional help. You may have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression. These conditions can affect people of any age. Children are especially sensitive to violent events or disasters. They may feel intensely hurt or frightened and find it difficult to recover. Like adults, kids need emotional support from loved ones. They may also need medical care and counseling. NIH’s newly updated Web page at www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/ coping-with-traumatic-events can help you learn more about how trauma can affect you and what to do when problems persist. The page links to videos and information about PTSD, depression and related conditions. You’ll also find tips for helping children and teens cope with violence and disasters.
BOOKS - I Love a Firefighter: What the Family Needs to Know - by Ellen Kirschman - I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know - by Ellen Kirschman - Honor & Commitment: Standard Life Operating Guidelines for Firefighters & Their Families - by Lori Mercer
- Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families - by Kevin Gilmartin
- The Fireman’s Wife: A Memoir - by Susan Farren - Behind the Badge (Daily Devotions for Law Enforcement) - by Adam Davis - Bulletproof Spirit: The First Responder’s Essential Resource for Protecting and Healing Mind and Heart - by Dan Willis
- The Price They Pay - by Karen Solomon
BOOKS FOR CHILDREN - Protected But Scared - by Tania Glenn - Why is Dad So Mad? - by Seth Kastle - Why is Mom So Mad? - by Seth & Julia Kastle - The Huge Bag of Worries - by Virginia Ironside - Why Are You So Scared?: A Child’s Book About Parents with PTSD - by Beth Andrews
- Hey Warrior - by Karen Young
SOCIAL MEDIA - This Life This Moment - Alongside PTSD - on Facebook-by Leawww.thislifethismoment.com
- Nlp4ptsd - on Facebook - by Lisa Westgate - www.lisawestgate.com - Love and Blues Blog - www.loveandbluesblog.com - by Leah Everly - The Not OK Project-on Facebook - www.notokproject.com-by Samantha Poore and Eric Meier
- Behind the Shield - www.jamesgeering.com - blog and podcast - by James Geering
- The Dark Side Project - on Facebook - by James Geering
ARTICLES - I wish my head could forget the things my eyes have seen - PTSD in First Responders - by James Geering - 11/27/2016 - Behind The Shield with James Geering - Cops Who Kill - Themselves - by Ellen Kirschman - 9/10/2018 Â Psychology Today - What Do Cops Believe - by Ellen Kirschman - 8/14/2018 - Psychology Today - Think It’s Hard Being a Cop? Try Being Married to One - by Ellen Kirschman - 5/1/2018 - Psychology Today - Betrayal: The Hidden Driver of PTSD for Cops - by Ellen Kirschman 6/25/2018 - Psychology Today - When Cops Need Help, Why Does it Take Them, So Long to Get It - by Ellen Kirschman - 12/4/2017 - Psychology Today - Badge of Life - www.badgeoflife.com - has a compilation of articles - Police One - www.policeone.com - has a compilation of articles - Substance abuse programs: What EMTs and paramedics need to know https://www.ems1.com/fire-ems/articles/138584048-Substance-abuseprograms-What-EMTs-and-paramedics-need-to-know/ - Addiction treatment center for firefighters, paramedics opens - https:// www.ems1.com/addiction/articles/2031947-Addiction-treatment-center-forfirefighters-paramedics-opens/ - Information about PTSD and addictions in first responders - https:// www.solutions-recovery.com/first-responders/ - The Relationship Between Addiction and Emergency Responders https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/emergency-responders/ - First Responders Addiction Treatment: How to Seek Help - Recovery First - 9/13/2017 - Treatment - https://www.recoveryfirst.org/floridatreatment/first-responders/ - Evidence-based program improves & sustains first-responder behavioral health - by Jonathan Gunderson; Mike Grill, MS, NREMT-P; Philip Callahan, PhD & Michael Marks, PhD - Responder Resilience - March 2014 - http://www.naemt.org/docs/default-source/ems-health-and-safetydocuments/mental-health-grid/jems-responder-resilience-mar2014.pdf