First and foremost, we want to thank the Missoula County Sheriff Department for allowing Gypsy Ray, LCSW and I the privilege to train first responders, both active and retired, on Mental Health Wellness and Awareness. It is with great honor that we have the opportunity to give our First Responders the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to lead long and healthy careers. The careers they have chosen are heroic, but can oftentimes be very horrific. Our Mission is to leave them knowing that there is support available to them from culturally competent therapists who can walk alongside them in processing the trauma of the career.
Secondly, we would like to commend the Missoula County Sheriff Department for offering first responders and retirees this training. Throughout the course of this 8 hour training, attendees hear Travis tell his story with the accompaniment of Gypsy Ray, LCSW. This training was offered on two dates to allow multiple departments and shifts to participate. We find this approach to be effective for larger agencies as it shows that leadership is supportive of the accessibility of this training. Throughout the course of the training, attendees hear about the lessons Travis learned during his career as well as symptoms, reassurance, and insight from Gypsy. At the end of the day, Travis and Gypsy share resources with the attendees to encourage them to continue to take steps towards improving their mental health wellness. The mission and message is simple… know that you are not alone in your mental health battles and that you are safe to speak up early and often.
It is no secret that the current hiring environment is rocky, first responders leaving the profession far outweigh first responders coming into the profession for many reasons. We believe that agencies that offer an encompassing wellness program have a greater opportunity to bring on new candidates. We commend Missoula County on the robust nature of their wellness offerings and look forward to seeing the growth of their department reflect the strength of their program.
Contact us for questions & information on our training opportunities.