A White County group will focus on the mental health of first responders at its Mental Health, Faith, and Family Seminar this Saturday.
Doyle Fire Captain Matthew Nuzzo said the small group was formed through Sparta Life Church. It provides a mental support group for first responders. Nuzzo said the job of being a first responder can take a toll on someone.
“The whole point behind that is that we all face situations that we just assume that we are gonna be fine in, but eventually, over time, they will always come back,” Nuzzo said. They will always pop up in the back of your head.”
Retired Police Officer Richard Brittleston said there is a large stigma about first responders asking for help. Brittleston said most first responders are afraid to ask for help with their mental health.
“The stigma was that we are the people who come when people need help, and that we would appear weak and we are not cut out for the job,” Brittleston said. “And some of the fears with that are being taken off of your shift and not being able to actually do the work.”
Retired Police Officer Bri Brittleston said first responders have ten times the suicide rate of non-first responders. Bri Brittleston said more first responders die by suicide than they do in line-of-duty deaths. Bri said a group of other first responders providing support has made a difference.
“Not just coming together with believers in Christ, but coming together with believers who understand what you have been through,” Bri Brittleston said. “Who understands when you say you had a bad day that it’s not just you stubbed your toe, but you know the things you have seen and the things you have dealt with that other people have as well, and they understand where you are coming from.”
Nuzzo said former firefighter and Tennessee Tech Associate Psychology Professor Dr. Derrick Edwards will be speaking at the seminar. Richard said first responders who attend not only can find connections but also healing by attending. The support group also meets twice a month at the Doyle Fire Department.
Saturday’s seminar will begin at 1:30pm.