New partnerships with Ellie Mental Health and Thin Line Counseling ensure confidential, on-demand psychological services for first responders
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a one-year contract with two mental health providers to support the psychological well-being of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) personnel. Ellie Mental Health and Thin Line Counseling, LLC will provide a combined $297,500 in services, offering confidential, professional mental health support to the County's approximately 1,200 sworn Fire Rescue employees.
Fire Rescue personnel face unique mental health challenges
The contracts, $148,340 to Ellie Mental Health and $149,160 to Thin Line Counseling, will allow HCFR to quickly schedule both preventative and immediate psychological counseling services for first responders. These services include one-on-one counseling, mental wellness education, site visits following critical incidents, and training sessions tailored to the unique challenges faced by Fire Rescue personnel.
First responders, dispatchers and other department personnel are exposed to traumatic events on a regular basis, and it's important that there is access to timely, specialized mental health care. The approved contracts ensure that support is available when it's needed most whether it's after a critical incident or during a personal crisis.
Wide range of services available
The services will be available at no cost to HCFR employees and will cover a wide range of needs, including stress, grief, substance abuse, marriage and parenting challenges, and more. In addition to individual counseling, the providers will offer trauma management, peer support team clinical oversight, and management consultation services.
Commitment to first responders
The County continues its commitment to the health, safety, and resilience of its first responders by investing in these mental health resources.
This story is part of Hillsborough County's 50-for-50 Series, a historic review of some of the memorable events, dates, and people in the history of Hillsborough Fire Rescue, which was born on Aug. 27, 1973.
Want to know more? Read additional stories that show the growth, bravery, and specialized operations of Hillsborough County's largest department.