Gov. Ducey announces $120K to support first responder mental health
Jul 13, 2020, 2:00 PM
(Facebook Photo/Mesa Fire and Medical)
(Facebook Photo/Mesa Fire and Medical)
PHOENIX — Gov. Doug Ducey announced Monday his office awarded $120,000 in funding to support first responder mental health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding will go to the Heal the Hero Foundation, a Scottsdale-based nonprofit that offers mental health support and other services for first responders, veterans and abuse survivors.
“First responders and those on the front lines work around the clock to serve our communities and protect others,” Ducey said in a press release.
“We know those jobs come with lasting stress, and we want to ensure they have the mental health support they need during COVID-19.”
The funds will be used to build stress resilience for first responders who are vulnerable to physical and mental health issues caused by the stress of the profession, according to the release.
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Law enforcement personnel, firefighters and emergency medical technicians will be among the professions that will benefit from the services.
Money will come from the Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund, which was established in March.
“Arizona’s first responders face increasingly stressful and trauma-based situations every day that can impact their physical and mental health,” Lou Schwartz, Heal the Hero Foundation CEO and founder, said in the release.
“We are pleased to work with Gov. Ducey on solutions to improve first responder resilience and community safety.”
