Connect & Protect offers a comprehensive library of mental health resources tailored specifically for first responders. Our curated materials aim to support the well-being and resilience of emergency personnel.
If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 immediately. Help is available 24/7, and you’re not alone.
The resources below are external links to publicly available content. We do not claim ownership of any of these materials—they belong to the original creators. Our goal is simply to make helpful, trusted resources easier to access for those in need.
Please consult a licensed mental health professional for personal advice or treatment.
Family- General
- IAFF Center of Excellence Spouse and Family FAQ Guide
- IAFF Center of Excellence Family Resource Guide
- Maintaining a Strong First Responder Marriage
- Support for First Responders and Their Families: Addressing the Cumulative Impact of Trauma
- Talking to Kids About LODD and Tragedy
- Finding Your Own Path: Balancing Identity and Support as a First Responder Spouse
Family- Divorce
General
- 5 Mental Health Must-Knows for Department Leads
- 7 Steps for Managing Grief and Loss
- Coping with Grief and Loss
- First Responders: Behavioral Health Concerns, Emergency Response, and Trauma
- How to Support a Crew Member From Treatment
- JEMS: Mental Health of First Responders (2023)
- Social Media Addiction Statistics
- Understanding the Difference Between PTS and PTSD
- First Responders Reveal the Truth About Their Job | Circle of Secrets
- Tackling the “Egodemic” in Public Safety
- First Responder Culture: Finding a Healthy Balance
Coping with Stress
- (FRF) Best Practices for Managing First Responder Stress
- Firefighter Suicide: How to Cope with Grief and Loss
- SAMHSA: Disaster Responder Stress Management
Sleep
- National Library of Medicine
Self-Care
Illness (Cancer)
- Occupational Cancer- IAFF
- Firefighter Cancer Support Network
- Cancer Relief Fund– NFRTC
- National Firefighter Registry for Cancer
- Firefighters and Cancer Risk- American Cancer Society
Illness (Non-Cancer)
- Firefighter Lung Disease– IAFF
- Firefighters and Lung Disease– American Lung Association
- Infectious Disease– IAFF
Injury
General
- First Responders Retirement Group
- The Impact of Retirement on Firefighter Mental Health and Suicide
- Retiring from Public Safety: The Big Breakup
- Coping with Identity Issues After First Responder Retirement
- Social Security Fairness Act Signed into Law, Boosting Retirement Benefits for First Responders
- Top 10 Things for a First Responder to Consider When Thinking of Retirement
- The Wake-Up Call that Changed a First Responder’s Health Post-Retirement
- What the Social Security Fairness Act Means for Your Retirement: A Planning Guide for First Responders
- How to Handle Life Transitions for First Responders
General
- How to Talk About Firefighter Suicide
- Suicide Awareness Content
- First Responder Suicide Rates, Mental Health Crises Rise
- Emergency First Responders Misconceptions About Suicide: A Descriptive Study
- I Don’t Want To Lose Any More Friends: First Responders Are Not Alone
- An Analysis of Suicides Among First Responders ─ Findings from the National Violent Death Reporting System
- Preventing Suicide: Information for Police, Firefighters, and Other Emergency Responders
- Honoring the Service of First Responders Who Died by Suicide
- The Ruderman White Paper Update on Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders
Burnout
- Addressing Healthcare Worker Burnout in 2025
- Burnout and Self Care During a Disaster Relief Operation
- Tips for Maintaining Mental Health on the job/Burnout
Discrimination and Harassment
- Discrimination & Harassment Toolkit
- Gender Based Violence Amongst First Responders: A Scoping Review
- Harassment, Discrimination, and Assault: The Unseen Crisis in Fire Service Professions
- Impact of Workplace Bullying Amongst First Responders- Systematic Review
- The Prevalence and Health Impacts of Frequent Work Discrimination and Harassment among Women Firefighters in the US Fire Service
- Emerging Health and Safety Issues Among Women in the Fire Service
Financial Hardships
Mental Health Risk Assessments
Recommended Resources
GRIT
First Responder Residential Program (Tennessee)
Struggle Well
A prevention-focused program based on the science of Posttraumatic Growth (Virginia)
H3
Outdoor therapy and clinics tailored to First Responders (FL)
Patrick’s Place
Recovery Residential Living (FL)