Foundation for First Responder Wellness and Resiliency
FORWARD Together:
Supporting First Responders'
Mental Health
The urgent need for mental health support for first responders cannot be overstated. These brave men and women dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities, often experiencing trauma and stress on a daily basis. However, the existing resources and support systems are insufficient, leaving actively serving and retired first responders struggling and in desperate need of help.
We are here to meet this urgent and unmet need by creating a private outpatient wellness center. The FORWARD center will provide confidential access to clinical treatment, educational resources, and research for first responders in need.
We are building the nation’s first FORWARD Center in Virginia, a private holistic wellness center for active and retired first responders.
TOGETHER we will:
Move FORWARD in healing the trauma that is negatively impacting the lives of many who serve and protect our communities.
With our educational partners, FORWARD opportunities to teach first responders how to effectively cope with stress before it becomes disabling.
Conduct FORWARD-focused research to ensure clinical treatment and educational resources are making a positive difference in the lives of our first responders, using evidence-based practices whenever possible.
UNDERSTANDING THE NEED
More than 1 in
First responders contemplate suicide nearly
More than
Depression and PTSD are up to
Recent findings in the National Wellness Survey can be viewed in more detail HERE.
Police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty (Ruderman Family Foundation, 2022)
SERVING THE ONES WHO SERVE
How We Will Make a Difference:
Provide a private, and anonymous space for first responders to seek help without fear or stigma.
Provide confidential access to culturally competent clinical treatment and care to address the unique needs of the first responder community.
Provide access to health and wellness education to support mental, physical and overall well-being such as mindfulness, spiritual counseling, and nutrition.
Offer financial planning and counseling to assist first responders and their families in managing their finances.
Conduct research to develop best practices and evidence-based strategies to effectively serve first responders.
Work with public safety executives and agencies to develop in-house resources, programs, and policies.
Why donate?
We rely on contributions from supporters like you so we can provide:
- A safe, confidential, and dedicated space for these heroes to seek the clinical care and support they deserve – without fear of stigma.
- Easy access to a comprehensive range of services, including outpatient treatment, telemedicine visits, and wellness educational training programs.
- Scholarship assistance for clinical care where needed, because cost should never be a barrier to seeking help.
- Financial counseling.
- Service dog placements and training.
- Sleep and nutrition counseling.
- Meditation and mindfulness classes.
