Coaching, peer support, treatment, oh my! There’s a growing list of resources to support first responders and we want to help you find the resources you need. This week, we’re offering a quick list to help you navigate just some of what’s out there for you.
Be sure to bookmark your favorites and share what you find. There’s even some resources to help support first responder leaders and departments too. Please note, this is not an all-inclusive list, but it is a list specific to first responder needs. If you have resources to share, we’d love to hear about them. We might even feel they should be added here!
Okay, no more delays. Here we go!
50+ Resources to Support First Responders
Here’s just a smattering of some resources to help support first responders, families, and departments looking for peer support training.
Coaching with FRC!
Of course we’re starting with life coaching; it’s kind of our thing. When you don’t know what to do, how to determine your goals, or how to get past that stuck feeling, turn to a coach. We pull the answers right from the source: you! Once you realize what coaching can do—and what YOU can do with coaching—you’ll be on your way to a better you. So give us a try. Reach out today!
Suicide Prevention
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988 if you or someone you love is contemplating or in any danger of suicide. You can also text 988 or chat with someone online. - Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 for support. - Blue Help
Supports law enforcement officers with suicide prevention and mental health resources. - Safe Call Now
A crisis referral service staffed by current and former first responders.
Peer Support
- Fire/EMS Helpline
They provide behavioral health workshops to fire and EMS across the globe, focusing on behavioral health awareness with a strong drive towards suicide prevention.
- Code Green Campaign
They’re a resource for first responder mental health and provide education on the same. - Serve & Protect
Offers trauma services and critical incident stress management for first responders. - First Responders Foundation
They offer behavioral health services, physical fitness programs, med management, and more.
- Copline
A confidential 24-hour hotline for law enforcement officers. - Next Rung
Peer support and referral line for first responders. Text SUPPORT To 1-833-698-7864 for peer support. For counseling, text COUNSELING to 1-833-698-7864, or for addiction treatment, text TREATMENT to 1-833-698-7864. - Tri-State Peer Support Team
Peer support for first responders in the tri-state area. - Responder Life
Pacific Northwest peer support team, emphasizing resiliency for first responders. - Under the Shield
Provides stress management coaching for first responders. - The Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance
Peer support and resources to combat mental health challenges for fire and EMS personnel. - ResponderStrong
Peer support and mental health resources specifically for first responders.
Counseling and Mental Health Support
- National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Share the Load
The mission of the NVFC is to provide a unified voice for volunteer Fire/EMS organizations.
- First Responder Wellness by Simple Recovery
They specialize in treating first responders and public safety professionals. - FRONTLINE Responder Services
Addiction and trauma programs individually customized to serve first responders in recovery. - The Counseling Team International
They provide counseling and critical incident stress management to first responders. - First Responder Support Network (FRSN)
Counseling and stress management for first responders and their families. - Badge of Life
Promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention in law enforcement. - Mental Health First Aid
Provides education and training to departments and individuals for first responder mental health. - The Code 9 Project
Counseling and peer support to combat PTSD and mental health struggles. - Cop2Cop
Peer support and professional counseling services. - Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
Support and counseling for families of fallen law enforcement officers. - Responder Health
A mental health resource specifically for first responders.
Retreats and Wellness Programs
- The West Coast Post-trauma Retreat (WCPR)
First responder retreat program currently offered in California, Oregon, Washington, Kansas, and Indiana.
- Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and First Responders
Offers free programs for military, veterans, first responders, and their families. - Save A Warrior (SAW)
Provides a healing retreat for military veterans and first responders. - Heroes On the Water
Offers outdoor retreats to first responders, veterans, and their families. - Warriors Heart
Addiction and PTSD treatment center for veterans and first responders. - Shields and Stripes
Offers retreats for first responders focusing on mental health and recovery. - Project Healing Heroes
Provides holistic healing retreats for veterans and first responders. - On-Site Academy
Residential treatment center for first responders located in Massachusetts. - Mighty Oaks Foundation
Resilience and PTSD treatment for veterans and first responders.
General Mental Health and Wellness
- The First Responder Center for Excellence
They provide education and research for first responder mental health and wellness.
- IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment
They work with substance and alcohol abuse, PTSD, and mental health crises. - Treatment Placement Specialists
Free service to help first responders find the right treatment program. - International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF)
Crisis intervention training for first responders. - Responder Health Clinic
Mental health support for first responders. - HERO
Hope for Emergency Responders Organization, hosting resources for first responders. - Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health
Serving firefighters and their families with self-help resources, peer and family education, and community outreach. - Enduring Warrior
Physical wellness and mental resilience for first responders.
Substance Use and Addiction Support
- Transformations Treatment Center
Treatment programs for substance use and mental health for first responders. - Shatterproof – First Responders
Shatterproof provides resources for substance use disorder recovery specifically designed for first responders. - The Herren Project – First Responder Services
Offers free addiction recovery services, counseling, and sober housing for first responders. - Warriors Heart – Addiction and PTSD Treatment
Provides private addiction treatment centers specifically for military, veterans, and first responders. - Recovery Centers of America – First Responders Program
Offers specialized treatment for substance use tailored to the needs of first responders. - The Phoenix – Sober Active Community for First Responders
A nationwide nonprofit organization offering free sober fitness and support for those in recovery, including first responders.
Family and Spousal Support
- Firefighter Spouse Support Group
Support and resources for the spouses of firefighters. - 1st Responder Conferences – Family and Spousal Programs
Offers educational and peer support programs for the families of first responders, helping them understand the challenges and stressors faced by their loved ones. - The Firefighter Family Academy (firefighterwife.com)
Resources and support for firefighter spouses to help them navigate the unique challenges of the fire service. - National Police Wives Association (NPWA)
A nationwide nonprofit that provides support and resources to the wives of law enforcement officers. - Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN)
Provides support and guidance to firefighters and their families dealing with cancer, offering peer counseling and resources. - Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Kids Camp
A support network that organizes camps and events for the children of fallen law enforcement officers, offering counseling and family support services.
You Got This, We Got You
No matter the battle you’re facing, we’re here to help you navigate it. You are not alone. There’s so many resources to support first responders. You can reach out for support confidentially and start putting yourself back together today. You got this, and we got you.