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ALBANY — The New York State Sheriffs’ Association (NYSSA) and FirstNet, Built with AT&T announced the launch of an innovative, statewide health & wellness program available to all 58 county Sheriff’s Offices in New York. The new program comes as 177 first responders committed suicide last year nationally and rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD,) depression, and anxiety among public safety and law enforcement personnel far exceed the rates of the general population.
Public safety service often comes with great risk and personal sacrifice — and New York’s sheriff deputies, corrections officers, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and command staff are no different. While first responders are dedicated to protecting the public, they often carry their burdens and trauma silently. NYSSA and FirstNet– the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community—believe that all sheriffs personnel should have access to the program.
The new comprehensive health & wellness program provides Sheriff’s Office staff with support systems to help manage stress and cope with grief, depression, anger, and other emotions that may stem from job-related stress.
The program includes a four-part approach that includes: New or improved Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), a new PSA campaign that will utilize videos and social platforms to communicate the key message for Sheriffs’ Office personnel: “It’s OK to not be OK,” Crisis and Trauma Training, and School Resource Officer Support.
Additionally, NYSSA will establish a confidential peer-to-peer hotline staffed by deputy sheriffs and other personnel from around the state to provide early intervention and keep stress from escalating or manifesting. For more information and details, go to: nysheriffs.org.
