Mental Health Groups to Hold 1st Responder Peer Support Symposium

(MARYLAND) – Mental health groups across the mid shore are lending a hand to first responders across the entire eastern shore. Whether they’re firefighters in Salisbury, police officers in Cambridge or EMT in Ocean City as part of the first ever First Responder Peer Support Symposium.

Mental health organizations For All Seasons, Mid-Shor Behavioral Health, and the Sante Group are lending support to first responders.

Especially since responders experience alot of peoples worst days and are expected to help navigate others through those challenges.

“What we hope will happen is that first responders will have an opportunity to network with other first responders, that it will help reduce the stigma, because right now there is still a really big stigma around first responders asking for help,” says Tina Brown with the Sante Group.

This is not just be about helping first responders themselves; the event seeks to train responders with the resources to the people in need in the community.

Tina tells WMDT, “We want first responders also to know about all the programs that are out there that they can access and not only access for them. Sometimes it might be about access and services for someone they come across or someone they help or someone that’s been in the accident.”

Not to mention, it helps to send a message of hope.

If you know a first responder in need of help, you can register for the symposium on September 17th here.