Resources

Help is here, any hour.

If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.

Every line below is free and confidential. You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out, and they’re there for the people who love you, too.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988, any hour, anywhere in the U.S.

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor. Text HOLA for Spanish.

Safe Call Now

1-206-459-3020. Confidential, 24-hour support for public safety employees and their families, from people who know the work.

Copline

1-800-267-5463. Answered by retired law enforcement officers, for officers and their families.

Fire/EMS Helpline

1-888-731-FIRE (3473). For firefighters, EMS providers and their families, from the NVFC’s Share the Load program.

Veterans Crisis Line

Call 988 and press 1, or text 838255. Free to any veteran, enrolled with the VA or not.

Find support

When it’s not a crisis, but you want help.

Programs and people our speakers, clinicians and partners recommend. Most are free or low cost for First Responders and their families.

Find a counselor

  • Compassion AlliancePDFFree trauma therapy for First Responders and their spouses, with therapists across the country. Your employer doesn’t have to know.
  • Nationwide clinician directoryPDFBehavioral health professionals who work with First Responders, listed by state (National Volunteer Fire Council).
  • Ohio peer support teamsPDFCISM and peer support contacts across Ohio.

Treatment programs

  • Throttle & ThrivePDFResidential treatment and medical detox for substance use and mental health, only for First Responders and veterans. Accepts workers’ comp.
  • eTMS OhioDrug-free, non-invasive brain treatment for sleep and stress. Free for First Responders.
  • OSU PTSD research studyPDFOhio State study pairing a ketogenic diet with talk therapy for PTSD. Check the flyer for whether it’s still recruiting.

Kinds of therapy, explained

Wellness

Faith-based support

  • Chaplains & HeroesPDFEmotional and spiritual resources for law enforcement and their families.
  • Mission First AlliancePDFChristian resources, chaplain connections, and community for First Responders and spouses.

Reading

These programs are independent of First Responders’ Bridge, and listing them isn’t an endorsement. For spouses, partners and kids, see Family Resources.

“Know that you are NOT alone, and when you decide you want to move forward and live your life, somebody will be there to help, to stand guard while you heal.”

Navy veteran and paramedic

Already attended a retreat?

Counseling after the retreat.

If you’ve attended a First Responders’ Bridge retreat, you can ask us for a referral to a clinician through Healing Bridge, our grant-funded counseling program: up to 12 sessions, individual or couples, with clinicians we’ve vetted.

Please use the form below, or contact Renée Yinger at renee@firstrespondersbridge.org, and we’ll provide you the information for the resources we have.

In Ohio: Healing Bridge clinicians are licensed in Ohio, so this is where we can refer you directly.

In another state: fill out the form anyway. We’ll share what we have for where you live.

Tim Wagner and his family, in their own words

“I took advantage of the free counseling sessions … for my wife and myself. We both went through trauma therapy … it’s really helped.”

Tim Wagner, Fire Services and EMS, Canton Township
Month and year is fine, like December 2026.
Optional. Share only what you’re comfortable sharing.

Anywhere in the U.S.

Finding a counselor on your own.

These directories aren’t affiliated with First Responders’ Bridge, and we haven’t vetted the people listed in them. They’re a reference, and a good place to start.

Certified First Responder Counselor directory

Counselors who’ve completed Certified First Responder Counselor (CFRC) training, listed by state.

Open the directory

For firefighters

The National Volunteer Fire Council’s directory of behavioral health professionals who work with firefighters and EMS.

Open the directory (PDF)

Coming from Renée

A nationwide referral list, plus one for firefighters. Like the two above, these are references, not the Bridge’s own providers.

The Bridge Corp, doing business as First Responders’ Bridge, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 82-5475103. Westerville, Ohio.