Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders—not just during the month of May, but every day. While AT&T’s mission is to connect through innovative technology, we recognize that true connection goes deeper — it’s about supporting one another.
Recently, we were proud to stand alongside FirstNet®, Built with AT&T, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith to celebrate the grand opening of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. This modern, state-of-the-art training facility will allow law enforcement officers, firefighters, civilian responders, EMS and E-911 staff to train locally and collaboratively.
Recognizing the critical need for mental health support, FirstNet proudly sponsored the Wellness Center within the training facility. This dedicated space offers wellness programming, on-site counseling and other mental health services for police officers, firefighters and the public safety community.
First responders demonstrate bravery, often running toward danger to keep our communities safe. This service often comes with personal sacrifices and emotional burdens. Mental health support is critical for all, especially for the public safety community, with first responders experiencing higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress, burnout, anxiety and other issues compared to the general population.1
- It’s estimated 20-25% of all first responders experience post-traumatic stress.2
- One study in law enforcement found a more than 20-year difference in life expectancy compared to the average American male.3
- Death by suicide in this group often outnumbers traditional line-of-duty deaths.4
“Supporting the mental health and wellness of first responders is essential. Facing daily challenges and high-stress situations, they deserve the best care to keep them healthy both in and outside the line of duty. Sponsored by AT&T and FirstNet, this Wellness Center is a vital resource designed to provide that support. Together, we are building a safer, stronger and healthier Atlanta.” — Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum
With the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition, we are proud to extend critical resources and support to those who protect and serve our communities every day. Since its launch in 2020, the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition has been a force in championing the health and wellness needs of first responders, bringing together over two dozen national safety organizations representing more than 5.1 million first responders across disciplines like fire, police, EMS, 911 and emergency response to assess, plan, integrate and evaluate strategies and solutions that support first responder wellness.
By fostering advocacy, creating meaningful collaborations and providing access to essential mental health resources, the program addresses the unique challenges faced by public safety professionals.
The FirstNet Health and Wellness program integrates a variety of support mechanisms to help first responders with stress management, emotional support, resiliency and leadership engagement.
One of our programs is ROG the Dog, animal-assisted therapy dogs that provide comfort and care for first responders during significant events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and other critical incidents. These types of services have been proven to decrease stress levels and boost morale – often serving as an antidote to chaos. There are more than 30 therapy dogs stationed across the country specifically trained to support first responders. Agencies on FirstNet can request ROG the Dog in the same way they request an asset from the FirstNet fleet and at no additional cost.
FirstNet also provides a variety of on-the-go resources for first responders through the FirstNet App Catalog. These safety and wellness apps provide easy and efficient access to information and support services. Some of these include:
The FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition has also identified ways public safety agencies can help improve health and wellness. We invite you to learn more by downloading the white paper: Helping the Helpers: Lessons Learned and Outcomes to Date from the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition.
FirstNet remains dedicated to strengthening the well-being of public safety professionals. When first responders are supported, our communities become safer and more resilient.
1 Health: A Therapy Dog Implementation Guide. Bowling Green University.
2 Tedeschi RG, Calhoun LG. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory: measuring the positive legacy of trauma. J Trauma Stress. 1996 Jul;9(3):455-71. doi: 10.1007/BF02103658. PMID: 8827649.
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4734369/
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