FRESH: First Responders Empathy, Support, and Help Resources
Crisis Resources
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Dialing and using the 988 Lifeline is free. When you call, text, or online chat the 988 Lifeline, your conversation is confidential. The 988 Lifeline provides you judgment-free care. Connecting with someone can help save your life.
A list of crisis hotlines in every county of Wisconsin
Next Rung peer support & professional counseling
Offers free peer support directly with another first responder via talk, text, social media messaging, email, Skype, or FaceTime.
FireStrong 24/7 Firefighter & Family Crisis
Crisis phone number on their home page connects anyone who calls with a master counselor who is trained in fire service culture.
Rest of the website has resources for member departments.
A 24/7 help line staffed by first responders for first responders and their family members. They can assist with treatment options for responders who are suffering from mental health, substance abuse and other personal issues.
Offers free 24/7 text-based mental health support.
Text message, chat, or WhatsApp
CopLine International Law Enforcement Officers Hotline
COPLINE® offers a CONFIDENTIAL 24-hour hotline answered by retired law enforcement officers who have gone through a strenuous vetting and training process to become an active listener. Should the caller need further assistance the retired officer listener has access to vetted clinical referrals.
For law enforcement
Offer a free 24-hour confidential support phone number
Also has anonymous and confidential access to mental health & wellness initiatives, addiction awareness tools, assessments and direction towards treatment and care.
The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Counseling Services
Free Counseling
Church Health Services in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin offers free mental and behavioral health support to first responders, primarily in Dodge and FdL counties but also throughout South Central Wisconsin. This is provided free of charge through a grant, so there are no out-of-pocket costs.
First Responders can contact them at 920-887-1766 option 2.
Read about it on their Instagram page or their Facebook Page
Mission is to support service members, first responders and their families in their fight to overcome the negative effects of trauma, transition, and trials that result from their service.
free for military & first responders
Provides free trauma therapy for first responders including police, fire, EMS personnel, and their spouses or retirees without involving their host agencies.
Paid Counseling
Joyous Living Counseling Services
Mayville, Wi
Treats PTSD, addiction, alcohol, anxiety, depression
A dedicated treatment program designed to serve the mental health and substance abuse needs of active duty and retired military personnel, veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers.
Free, confidential support for first responders and their immediate families.
Connects you to culturally–competent clinicians available in person, online, or by phone.
There’s no insurance required, no employer involvement, and no cost to you.
Lists of Counselors and Counseling Resources
List of clinicians by state
who self-identify as working with first responders
First Responder Support Network
Resource list of clinicians who devote a significant portion of their practice working with First Responders and their families
Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals
This directory is part of the NVFC’s Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) initiative and is made possible thanks to a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
NAMI First Responder Resources
List of resources compiled by the National Alliance on Mental Illness
Includes resources for agencies and organizations
Center for Firefighter Behavioral Health
Behavioral health resources and education for firefighters and their families
Find a clinician, self-help resources, or info on how to support your first responder family member
The NAMI HelpLine is a free, confidential nationwide service that provides one-on-one emotional support, mental health information and resources needed to tackle tough challenges that you, your family or friends are facing.
Contact by call, text, or email
Website also offers free self-help online resources.
Treatment, Referrals
Provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations
Resources Listings
ResponderStrong
Clinical resources including clinicians, facilities, retreats, and aftercare support
Self-Help Tools including stress management
NVFC’s Share the Load™ program provides access to critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems.
This includes the Directory of Behavioral Health Professionals as a resource to find local assistance for behavioral health issues.
The resources in this section can assist individuals seeking help for a behavioral health issue as well as departments looking to implement or enhance a behavioral health program.
Based in Florida
Call or complete their contact form for help with a crisis that needs immediate support
Lists of resources including crisis centers, treatment centers, national and state resources, virtual support services, and services in Canada
Online and Virtual Support Services
a virtual outpatient mental health treatment program designed only for Veterans and first responders in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida.
Frontline Assistance Online Support Groups
Schedule of online Support Groups for Emergency Responders and Healthcare Workers
Training Resources
Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments Toolkit
The Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments: Implementation Toolkit (Second Edition) is designed to help fire department leaders promote and foster well-being among their members.
First Responder Center for Excellence Resource Hub
This all-inclusive collection of informational resources can be filtered or viewed by tag, audience type or category of post.
Includes Behavioral Health, Cancer, Cardiac, Firefighter Physicals, Fitness, Health & Wellness, Model Policy and Procedure, Women's Health
Mental Health First Aid training course
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches participants about mental health and substance use challenges.
ResponderStrong Train the Trainer
Mental health support training for first responder peers
Suicide Prevention Training for First Responders
This course is designed for those in the first responder professions.
Training to help mitigate and manage the mental stress that accompanies First Responder work and help them stay mentally resilient on the front lines.