Following the unexpected loss of one of its members to suicide, the Orange County Fire Authority committed to establishing a Behavioral Health and Wellness Program that would identify and address the needs of members in crisis. Advocating for support from your governing board, City or County Board requires an understanding of the need and advocating for change. This presentation will explore the components of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Program, challenges to effectiveness, and ways to overcome those challenges to ensure that first responders get the care they need, when they need it most. Moreover, we will look at ways to communicate the need for funding of such critical resources.
Learning Objectives:
Identify key components of a Behavioral Health and Wellness Program.
Identify challenges to program effectiveness and ways to overcome those challenges.
Assess program effectiveness using measurable standards of program utilization.
