First Responder Mental Health and Suicide Deterrence Subcommittee
The First Responder Mental Health and Suicide Deterrence Subcommittee of the Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council is charged with making recommendations on how to reduce the incidence of suicide and attempted suicide among employed or retired first responders in Florida. The Subcommittee will identify and make recommendations on developing training programs and materials that will empower first responders to enhance their mental wellness.
The Subcommittee will foster a culture of mutual support and solidarity among active and retired first responders by:
- Providing training materials to first responder agencies in suicide prevention best-practices
- Educating active and retired first responders on suicide awareness and help-seeking
- Promoting awareness of existing resources among active and retired first responders
Please see below for a list of Florida-specific first responder resources.
First Responder Resources
|
Resource and |
Description |
|---|---|
|
2nd Alarm Project |
Phone and text line staffed by licensed clinicians specializing in mental health services for first responders and their families. Also offering access to trained first responder peer support team members. Crisis line: No
|
|
211 Broward/ Hero4Hero line |
Counseling line staffed by first responders providing information and referral and short-term crisis counseling. Crisis line: Yes
|
|
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay |
Counseling line staffed by first responders providing information and referral and short-term crisis counseling. Crisis line: Yes
|
|
University of Central Florida RESTORES Number: 407-823-1657 |
Single session consultation line staffed by first responders for mental health related concerns, individuals receive a personalized treatment strategy to be paired with ongoing services. Crisis line: No
|
|
University of Central Florida RESTORES also operates Blueline and Redline Rescue |
Serving law enforcement officers (blueline rescue), firefighters (redline rescue) and their families in times of need.
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Annual Reports of the Task Force
The Subcommittee continues the work of the First Responder Suicide Deterrence Task Force which was created adjunct to the Statewide Office for Suicide Prevention through July of 2023. Please see below for the suite of three First Responder Suicide Deterrence Task Force annual reports that were presented to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
First Responder Task Force 2023 Report
