Mental & Behavioral Health Program

Geographic Scope: National (United States)

Focus Areas: Mental and behavioral health support for first responders and their families

Program Components:

• Peer-to-peer counseling programs
• Yoga and wellness programs
• Health and Wellness Centers
• Clinical and wellness support to first responder families
• Trauma-informed counseling services
• Case-by-case grants to first responders and their children needing mental health services they cannot afford

Target Population:

• First responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, nurses, medical personnel)
• Families of first responders
• Children of first responders

Focus Areas & Statistics:

• PTSD rates within police agencies are 5x higher than civilian population
• PTSD rate for firefighters and EMTs is 2x higher than civilian population
• Law enforcement officers and firefighters more likely to die by suicide than in line of duty
• EMS providers 1.39x more likely to die by suicide than general public
• Supporting agencies addressing depression, anxiety, hopelessness, stress, PTSD, and suicide prevention

Partner Organizations Funded (as of 2021):

• FDNY Foundation: Peer-to-peer counseling, especially for EMTs
• NYC Police Foundation: NYPD yoga studio and Health and Wellness Welcome Center
• Friends of Firefighters: Clinical and wellness support to firefighter families
• 911 At Ease International: Trauma-informed counseling in California, Idaho, Minnesota, and Navajo Nation

Initial Grant: $100,000 awarded to partner organizations (May 2021)

Funding Goal: $500,000 needed to continue support of programs

Background: Launched during Mental Health Awareness Month, pandemic recovery, and 20-year commemoration of 9/11 to address critical mental health needs among first responders and their families

Contact Information:

• Website: www.1stRCF.org
• Email: Joanna@1stRCF.org
• Phone: +1 (646) 912-2681

Application Process

The Foundation provides grants on a case-by-case basis to first responders and their children needing mental health services they otherwise cannot afford.

To Apply:

• Contact the Foundation directly to discuss your specific mental health needs and service requirements
• Email: Joanna@1stRCF.org
• Phone: +1 (646) 912-2681
• Visit www.1stRCF.org for application portal and complete details