First responders are at great risk of PTSD which results in poor relationship outcomes and overall life dissatisfaction. GRACE provides mental health and trauma counseling for first responders. This fund will provide services at no cost to these clients serving in rural Georgia.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event that is either experienced or witnessed. Prevalent among first responders, symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts. This prevalence shortens careers, lowers quality of life, and negatively impacts families and communities. High exposure to life threatening situations coupled with low salaries place these individuals and families at risk.
Addressing the need for services provided to police officers, firefighters, and paramedics, this fund will provide counseling, PTSD seminars, and awareness events to counter the stigma of counseling among this population. In collaboration with leaders of first responders, this project provides mental health counseling and support to a vulnerable population. Through counseling, trauma resolution therapy, seminars, and local events more first responders will have access to these services.
Educating first responders and their families about the symptoms and effects of PTSD, and providing access to these services will promote longer careers, produce healthier first responders, and enhance their family life. Society depends on first responders to enforce law and rescue those in need. The community needs these approximately 100 individuals healthy as they provide and protect this rural Georgia population of approximately 8,400 people.
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