The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute Leads the Way in Addressing the Mental Health Crisis Among First Responders

The First Responder Behavioral Health Institute (FRBHI) is a pioneering organization dedicated to addressing the mental health needs of first responders. Established in 2022 by Joseph Brigandi, a retired fire captain/paramedic who became a licensed professional counselor and psychotherapistat the Counseling Center of Texas, FRBHI aims to provide education, training, and support to ensure the psychological well-being of first responders, be they law enforcement officers, firefighters, or EMS personnel. Today, Brigandi serves as the Clinical Program Director for FRBHI.

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How do we build a “House of Mental Health Wellness” for Firefighters and EMS Personnel?

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer You’re going to have a house built for you. What skilled professionals will you need to build your house? If the house of your dreams is a two-story Colonial-style with a full basement, the list probably looks like this: * Contractor to dig the foundation.* Mason lay the block for the foundation.*Framing carpenters to ...

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Firefighter Suicide: The more we know, the more we know

Dr. Olivia Johnson is the President Shepherds & Sheepdogs, LTD., a professional speaker, author, and suicidology researcher--And one of my 1st Level Connections over on LinkedIn. Dr. Johnson has written a couple articles recently that should give us pause to learn and reflect on what we're doing to prevent suicides and why she believes that those efforts are not working.

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Firefighters and Fire Officers: Register for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) created the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer to better understand cancer risk in the fire service. When you join the NFR for Cancer, you share information about your work history, health, and exposures that can pave the way for new health and safety measures. All U.S. firefighters – with or without cancer, active or retired, and any specialty - can join.

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Today is National Employee Resource Group Day

By: Stephanie White, Firefighter/Paramedic and Guest Blogger Or at least that’s what my LinkedIn feed is telling me [National Employee Resource Groups Day 2024 was November 17th]. Being in the fire service I’m no stranger to ERGs and the solutions and guidance they provide, but I’m also going to use today to dovetail into a subject that I also know ...

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Why I write

I write because I want people to think, especially about what they don't know. My aim is to inform, educate, and challenge readers to encourage them to engage with new ideas. In return, I learn from their feedback.

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Understanding Firefighter Suicide: A Call to Action for the Fire Service

By: Robert Avsec, Executive Fire Officer Today’s Firefighters face unique and intense challenges that can significantly impact their mental health. The nature of their work exposes them to traumatic events, physical danger, and elevated levels of stress. Like many issues facing our society today, the effects of those stressors have been amplified by the increased influence of social media and ...

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