First responders are often portrayed as being tough, burly, strong, physically fit…pick your adjective… And yes, they are all of those things, but they also experience rates of depression and suicide ideation far greater than the general population.
The dangers and stress of the job make first responders—no matter how tough they appear on the outside—susceptible to traumatic stress injuries. Just as physical injuries require medical attention, so do stress injuries. And while first responders have traditionally been expected to ‘suck it up’ and ‘be tough’ after dealing with stressful or traumatic events, that expectation doesn’t reflect the reality and dangers of stress injuries.
This issue is the focus of a new film called “A State of Mind: Protecting the Protectors,” part of a new series on mental health currently showing on Wyoming PBS. The film premiered in Jackson on February 9 at the Center for the Arts, and will be broadcast on Wyoming PBS later this spring.
Joanna Kail, Executive Director for Wyoming PBS, introduces the film “A State of Mind: Protecting the Protectors” at the Center for the Arts on February 9. Photo: TCSAR Foundation
Featured in the film are TCSAR volunteers Stephanie Thomas and Jen Reddy; Drew Kneeland, director of the Jackson Hole Ski Patrol; licensed therapist Lewis Smirl; Katie Davis from Jackson Hole Fire/EMS; and others who are working to provide a positive influence on mental health in Teton County and across Wyoming. The film provides an excellent look into the efforts from different individuals and organizations to eliminate the stigma around mental health as part of the TIPS program.
In 2019, TCSAR Foundation and several other local first-responding agencies launched the Teton Interagency Peer Support (TIPS). TIPS provides free mental health support for local first responders and their families, and is funded through private donations and grants. Since its inception, TCSAR Foundation has administered the program and accepted donations on behalf of the partner organizations. The TIPS’ approach gives first responders a network of peer support that works to keep them resilient, mentally strong, and of course, muscle bound.
Thank you to Alpheus Media for producing this important film and including TCSAR.
If you or a loved one is in need of mental health support, please know that help is available.
Contact the Jackson Hole Community Counseling Center at (307) 733-2046, or St. John’s Health Wellbeing Resources at (307) 203-7880.
The National Suicide Hotline offers 24-hour crisis support at (800) 273-TALK (8255), en Espanol (888) 628-9454.