#SpotlightOnCLT: First Responders 1st
Our #SpotlightOnCLT Mental Health Month story focuses today on First Responders 1st. We spoke with Director Lonnie Clouse to learn more about how First Responders 1st is making an impact on mental well being in Charlotte.
What would you like for the community to know about the challenges your organization is trying to solve?
First responders are involved in many crisis situations. They always have to be strong when people are at their worst. However, they need to also take care of their holistic health. There is a stigma in the first responder community to reach out for mental health help. We need to remove this stigma and get them the needed health services so that they can give their best to their families, work, and community.
Could you describe for our community how First Responders 1st supports mental well being?
Our vision is to come alongside our first responders in routine and in crisis response, in a way that enables them to continue giving the best of themselves to their coworkers, the community and their families.
Could you share an impactful story with us about First Responders 1st?
FR1 was able to recently purchase a hotel room from a military veteran who had fallen on hard times. One of our chaplains was doing a ride along and we responded to a call where the veteran had recently been kicked out of his home. He had no place to stay. He was very thankful we were able to provide a place for him to stay.
Learning more:
What would you like for the community to know about the challenges your organization is trying to solve?
First responders are involved in many crisis situations. They always have to be strong when people are at their worst. However, they need to also take care of their holistic health. There is a stigma in the first responder community to reach out for mental health help. We need to remove this stigma and get them the needed health services so that they can give their best to their families, work, and community.
Could you describe for our community how First Responders 1st supports mental well being?
Our vision is to come alongside our first responders in routine and in crisis response, in a way that enables them to continue giving the best of themselves to their coworkers, the community and their families.
Could you share an impactful story with us about First Responders 1st?
FR1 was able to recently purchase a hotel room from a military veteran who had fallen on hard times. One of our chaplains was doing a ride along and we responded to a call where the veteran had recently been kicked out of his home. He had no place to stay. He was very thankful we were able to provide a place for him to stay.
Learning more:
- Concord PD sent out a survey to 100 officers asking if they wanted a functioning chaplaincy program and 97 responded back welcoming the program.
- More police die by suicide than in the line of duty.
- First Responders 1st hopes to have a functioning chaplaincy program for all first responders in the greater Charlotte area.
First Responders 1st provides a ministry of emotional and spiritual support to first responders, strengthening their personal well-being for work and life.
First Responders 1st comes alongside our first responders in routine and in crisis response, in a way that enables them to continue giving the best of themselves to their coworkers, the community and their families.
Read more about First Responders 1st and learn how to support them here.