"Even heroes need support; reaching out is a sign of strength."

Supporting mental health wellness leads to healthier employees, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

Employees who feel supported in their mental health are more productive and engaged at work.  First responders are slow to ask for help, which leads to a high suicide rate. Having someone in-house they get to know over time means they are much more likely to ask for help when they need it. 

A mental health program can decrease the number of sick days taken, saving costs related to absenteeism. 

Retention can be a huge hurdle with first responders. In the ten years I was chief of police, I managed to maintain over a 93% retention rate. So I know how important it is, especially for smaller departments. Adding a mental health wellness program can drastically increase retention rates by decreasing burnout and helping to address conerns before they lead to people leaving your organization. 

A focus on mental health fosters a culture of support, open communication, and understanding within the organization. First responders can be hesitant to ask for support, but having a mental health professional in-house, either part-time or full-time, can change the stigma first responders have. Especially with a retired police officer offering these services. 

Employees will have access to counseling services, workshops, and in-house training based on department needs. This promotes a positive community outlook and increases awareness of mental health within the community, fostering support.  There are many more positives to having a mental health wellness program for your city or department.