Fort Worth first responders launch mental wellness program with American Warriors Association

Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis asked first responders gathered at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex on March 27 to think about their hearts.

The organ, which is a key part of the human circulatory system, brings fresh oxygen to itself before other parts of the body, he said.

“Does that mean the mind doesn’t think of others? Does that mean the mind doesn’t take into account the needs of others?” Davis asked. “No. I realize that before I can have a positive impact on my brain, liver, kidneys, and everything else, I have to take care of myself first.”

A new public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth and the American Warriors Association is expected to instill the same spirit among local police officers and firefighters. On March 27, the partners announced the launch of the R3 program, which aims to proactively address psychological injuries sustained by first responders in the line of duty. 3R is an acronym for response, restore, and resolve.

“If left unchecked, these can grow and often reach unbearable sizes,” said Anna Heil, director of development for the American Warrior Association. “As such, this program emphasizes the importance of early intervention and support by providing tools and resources to address psychological injuries before they escalate.”

Through this program, Fort Worth police officers and firefighters have access to up to 48 hours of paid health training time, a peer support network, an educational campaign, and seven free sessions of culturally appropriate counseling. The partnership aims to de-stigmatize the conversation about mental health for first responders by characterizing the program as active training rather than an intervention.

“We want you to not only be healthy at work, but also to be able to go home and be a husband, mother, sister, brother, father, and that your city is actually “We want to make sure that everyone knows that we care about your health,” the mayor said. Mattie Parker said.

Police Chief Neil Noakes said fire and police leaders need to set an example for first responders that it’s okay not to be okay and that self-care is not just an option, but a necessity. By caring for Fort Worth’s first responders, we enable them to better care for our entire community.

“We are absolutely committed to the safety, health and resiliency of the men and women who serve with honor and distinction every day,” he said.

Part of the R3 program is a retreat for first responders. Over the past two months, several police officers and firefighters have attended a wellness retreat at a California ranch through the program. Among them was Cliff Weaver, a fire department chaplain.

“When people contact me, they are often already in crisis,” Weaver said. “Their marriages are already falling apart, they are already struggling with alcohol, drugs, depression, etc. This program is another thing they can do to address those issues before they get to that point. I don’t know.”

As a pastor, Weaver has little down time. It’s a job he loves, but he says it’s rare for him to be able to completely step away from work. He wasn’t like that during the retreat.

“It’s been such a gift to have no distractions this past week, no cell phones, but to be able to step away from everything and just focus on myself,” he said.

Since the first group returned from the shelter, they have started disseminating information within their departments and have seen a huge increase in interest among first responders, Weaver said. His hope is that investing in active mental health becomes second nature for the department.

“We are investing in our people and tackling resilience and health head-on,” he said. “And because we’re starting from scratch, many new hires will be invested in a different way from the beginning of their careers.”

related