There are many educational resources that support and relate to emergency responders and their support networks.
We surveyed 768 emergency response leaders across Colorado about the mental health of their responders, including resources, needs and priorities. Read the results in “Taking Care of Our Own: Mental Health Among Colorado Emergency Responders.”
of leaders report that their agencies now have access to peer support (80 percent of urban respondents and 73 percent of rural)
Licensed mental health professionals are available to 68 urban and 60% rural)
of leaders believe that responders feel comfortable discussing their own mental health
Only 38 percent of leaders believe there is adequate time for responders to process stressful incidents at work, with some branches significantly lower (EMS: 51 percent; fire: 46 percent; police: 38 percent; sheriff: 29 percent; dispatch: 23 percent; and state patrol: 20 percent)
Collected information regarding responder wellness as well as mental, emotional and physical resiliency, focusing on how they relate to emergency responders.
An overview of behavioral health issues impacting responders, from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Learn MoreResults of a nationwide survey of responders conducted by the University of Phoenix
Learn MoreAn overview of the mental and emotional health issues EMS personnel deal with, from the National EMS Management Association
Learn MoreA nationwide survey of EMS personnel dealing with access to mental health services, conducted by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
Learn MoreA comprehensive study of the impact of mental health issues and suicide on responders, by the Ruderman Family Foundation
Learn MoreLearn more about and follow federal, state and local legislation that could affect emergency responders.
Article from the Steamboat Pilot & Today
Learn MoreA series of articles from The Dialogue, a publication of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Learn MoreAdvice for peers, counselors and psychologists from Law Officer
Learn MoreArticle from Psychology Today
Learn MoreArticle from the International Association of Chiefs of Police
Learn MoreReport on a joint study by NBC Bay Area and the International Association of Firefighters
Learn MoreArticle from the Journal of Emergency Medical Services
Learn MoreDiscussion on New Hampshire Public Radio
Learn MoreArticle from the Greenville (S.C.) News
Learn MoreDiscussion of responder mental health from EMS World magazine
Learn MoreArticle from the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
Learn MoreAnalysis from Vice on how empathy can actually work against responders
Learn MoreLearn more about and follow federal, state and local legislation that could affect emergency responders.
Sample policies from agencies willing to share.
Guidance for fire departments regarding the minimum standards for occupational health and safety program from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
A state-by-state overview of Mental Health First Aid policy produced by the National Council for Behavioral Health
Information and recommendations on forming and maintaining a peer support structure from the International Association of Chiefs of Police
