BSA opens crisis hotline for first responders

Jordan Gipson, Amarillo Globe-News
·2 min read

BSA Behavioral Health, a service of FMC Health Network, has brought the only first responder-specific program to the Panhandle area.

On Nov. 10, it was announced that Shaina Neely, APRN, MSN, FNP-BC,PMHNP-BC, is now a certified first responder counselor, and Addison Weaver, BS, is a certified first responder counselor associate. They have been awarded with certificates from Academy Hour to treat first-reponders.

According to reports, the first responders this includes are police officers, EMT, paramedics, and rescue workers. The clinic now has a first responder crisis line for first responders to get the help they need 24 hours a day. Research shows that approximately 80% of first responders experience traumatic events on the job, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), equaling to around 1 in 3 first responders developing PTSD.

“We have the crisis hotline because we understand that as first responders, they don’t work a normal schedule. A crisis for them could happen anytime, and so that crisis hotline is only available to first responders 24/7 so they can get in touch with us at any time,” said Weaver, Behavioral Health manager. “Once we make contact on the crisis line, we can get them set up in the office for an evaluation, medication management, and counseling specific to first responders.”

BSA Behavioral Health really wants first responders to know:

  • Free 24/7 first responder crisis line.

  • Same day appointments for first responders

“First responders are here to protect and care for us, so we are honored to be able to care for them,” Weaver said.

Any first responder who would like access to the crisis line should first contact the clinic during regular business hours at 806-350-7601. First responders, as well as anyone seeking mental health resources, can easily find out if treatment is right for them by filling out a short online assessment at https://www.bsabehavioralhealth.com/online-assessment.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: BSA helps first responders with 24/7 crisis hotline