Our Initiatives
Raising awareness, providing creative outlets and personalized peer support, and funding research-based trauma treatment. This is how we do our part to extinguish PTSD in the first responder community. All made possible thanks to our generous donors and supporters.
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Statistics surrounding first responders' mental and emotional well-being are understated and underreported but continue to be damning.
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According to a 2020 article published by Dr. Holly Kennedy-Hansen, as well as data from a 2021 study concerning first responder mental health and wellness:​
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85% of first responders say they have experienced symptoms related to mental health conditions.
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57% fear negative repercussions for seeking treatment.
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40% fear being demoted or fired for seeking treatment.
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70% of first responders say mental health services are seldom or never utilized.
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First Responders are 5x more likely to experience depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
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Police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
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Evidence suggests that peer-focused interventions may be preferred to other forms of interventions in high-risk occupations.
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Former first responders designed our initiatives to help this silently struggling population be more than just another statistic. Through our initiatives, we strive to raise awareness, provide a safe space for creative expression, and work towards extinguishing PTSD in the first responder community. By supporting this critical population, you are helping to create a safer, better-served community and society.