The following page features links to resources that first responders may find useful. In quotes are descriptions of the organization's mission and/or what it offers from its website.
The Code Green Campaign - "First responder oriented mental health advocacy and education organization."
The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation - "The mission of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. is to provide leadership, education, training, consultation, and support services in comprehensive crisis intervention and disaster behavioral health services to the emergency response professions, other organizations, and communities worldwide."
QPR Institute Course - "This certificate course addresses the knowledge and skills first responders need to deal effectively with suicidal people, family members of the deceased by suicide, and to look after the health and safety of their colleagues and co-workers."
Safe Call Now - (206) 459-3020 "CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral service for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide."
First Responder 24-Hour Crisis Line - 1-888-731-3473
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1-800-273-8255
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Disaster Distress Hotline - 1-800-985-5990
North American Firefighters Veteran Network - "We regularly post updates about online support groups, therapy programs, and even seminars that are designed to help combat firefighter depression and firefighter stress."
First Responder Support Network - "Our goal is to provide first responders and their families tools to reduce personal and family stress, encourage appropriate career decisions and reduce the effects of traumatic incident stress on an individual's life. The key components of FRSN are the 6-day residential treatment for first responders, also known as the West Coast Post-trauma Retreat (WCPR), and the 6-day program for significant others & spouses (SOS)."
On-Site Academy - "Non-profit residential treatment and training center for critical incident stress management. We serve emergency service workers who are in distress. Our program is for all law enforcement, fire service, EMS, or other human service personnel who are themselves temporarily overwhelmed by the stress of their jobs, what they have seen, and what they have been through."
West Cost Post-Trauma Retreat - The west coast equivalent of On-Site Academy, where "attendees spend 6 very full days at our beautiful retreat house in Northern California. Meals and lodging are provided at no additional charge. Over the course of 6 days and 5 nights, attendees participate in educational segments, clinical treatment, and peer support from other first responders, most who have attended the retreat."
Significant Others and Spouses Program - "The Mission of the SOS retreat is to provide a safe and confidential environment for the promotion of healing, education, and support."
California Peer Support Association - "A professional and educational organization dedicated to the advancement, promotion and enhancement of peer support and peer support programs for law enforcement, fire and allied emergency service personnel."
Addiction Center - "Addiction Center was founded by recovering addicts and health information writers. Our goal is to provide the most up-to-date information on addiction as well as reviews of top treatment centers across the country."
Peer Support Central - "PeerSupportCentral.com was created for the sole purpose of providing consulting, training and development courses and resources for First Responders, Military Professionals and Corporate Leaders in the areas of critical incident stress management, critical incident trauma response, peer support, and leadership challenge preparation"
Mental Health First Aid - "An 8-hour course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders."
Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance - "FBHA’s goal is to provide behavioral health workshops to fire departments and EMS organizations across the globe, focusing on behavioral health awareness with a strong drive towards suicide prevention and promoting resources available to firefighters/EMS and their families."
Firestrong - "Firestrong is an independently operated online resource for members of the Fire Service and their families. The mission of Firestrong is to offer mental, emotional, and physical support to each member of the fire department and their families by providing educational tools, resources, crisis intervention assistance (crisis line) and peer support services."
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Organization that aims to prevent suicide by funding scientific research, offering educational programs, promoting policies and legislation, and providing programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people at risk.
DrugRehab.com - 56 percent of fighters turn to alcohol to cope and many veterans also suffer from substance abuse disorders, according to drugrehab.com. The website aims to provide researched, fact-based resources about various substances, the latest approaches to treatment and stories of recovery.
Recovery Village - "An organization dedicated to providing the best treatment possible to those struggling with substance abuse and co-occuring disorders. It is our philosophy that all individuals with the desire and ability to seek treatment are provided with the highest quality care for very reasonable rates."
**Organizations Added by Request - updated 3/23/2020**
New Mouth- This organization was created to "keep the public educated about current dental care practices, oral health basics, and how to find the best treatment possible," according to its website. It also has highlighted the effects of drug addiction on oral health.
Financial Help for Single Mothers - A database of grants and financial assistance for single mothers.
Drug Dangers - Aims to "keep the public educated and informed of all defective medical devices and dangerous medications that are currently available on the market today."