Adapting to change is built into every shift of a first responder. Yet when it comes to mental health, many still believe support is only needed after a major traumatic event. Sergeant Chelsea Pugh, a supervisor and field training officer with the Altavista Police Department, learned through the Impact First Responders program that it’s often the small, repeated stressors that shape emotional wellbeing. “People think you only need help after something big,” she said. “But it’s the little things piling up that start to cause real issues.”
Sergeant Pugh describes a familiar culture of “trauma dumping” with coworkers, then immediately pushing emotions aside to regain composure. The expectation to appear strong, even on the hardest days, has long made open conversations around mental health feel risky or unprofessional. The Impact First Responders program works to shift that mindset by offering practical, relatable tools that normalize mental wellness. Tools like separating what cannot be control, like unpredictable calls, from what can be control, such as mindset and preparation. She now uses a brief “personal debrief” after each call. She remind herself she did everything she could and to reflect with coworkers. This simple habit helps her “close out the call,” stay grounded, and prevent stress from accumulating.
Sergeant Pugh, hopes programs like this will continue to redefine what “strength” truly means in her field. Mental stress, she explained, is just as normal a part of the job as physical strain. They both deserves the same preparation and care. “If you break an arm, you heal and rebuild strength,” she said. “Mental stress should be handled the same way.” For years, the message has been “come home safe.” With the right tools, she hopes first responders will not only come home safe, but come home whole.
Because change is often a quick reset, owning what you can control, and speaking honestly with those who run toward hard moments with you.
Impact First Responder at a Glance
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Proactive Mental Health Support: We specifically design this program for law enforcement, fire, and EMS, focusing on addressing the cumulative stressors of the job before they escalate into crises.
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Confidential and Free Counseling: We provide completely off-the-record counseling at no cost, so first responders can seek support without added barriers or concerns.
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Training and Leadership Development: In addition to individual support, we equip departments to build healthier cultures, strengthen resilience, and normalize mental health conversations across their teams.
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